Richard Fletcher

Richard Alvarado Fletcher, 78, of Santa Clara a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, entered eternal rest on Sunday January 11, 2026, at Fort Bayard Medical Center.

Richard was born on February 1, 1947, to Armando and Luisa Fletcher in Santa Rita, NM. He graduated from Cobre High School in 1965. He then met the love of his life, Patricia Garcia, who he married in 1967. Together, they built a loving home in Santa Clara, NM.  Richard obtained a degree from Western New Mexico University in Business. He retired after 30 years from Chino/Phelps Dodge Mines. After retirement he went on to work at Lifequest for a few years. He also volunteered his time to clean the Santa Clara cemetery serving on the Santa Clara cemetery committee.  Richard was a loving grandfather, and his greatest joy was his grandchildren, he especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports. He would travel all over the state to support them, always being their #1 fan and biggest/loudest cheerleader. He was beyond proud of them.

Richard was a diehard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, he passed this on to his children and grandchildren from a young age. He enjoyed watching Steelers football games and Atlanta Braves baseball games with his family.  His other joy and passion was working out in his garage doing mechanic work. He would spend hours there working on his prized possession vehicles, a 1967 Chevelle, a Camaro and a 1956 Chevy truck. He was a very talented mechanic; he could rebuild engines and transmissions.

He also had a love for painting, he enjoyed and offered to help paint houses, walls whatever was in need.  In Richard’s younger years one of his hobbies was playing softball out on the fields of Sticker Stadium and Fort Bayard for the “Rejects” baseball team, something he enjoyed doing for many years.  After retirement and slowing down he would pass the time by sitting in his reclining chair with his beloved dogs Chatito and Chata, and would enjoy his favorite TV shows- “Enamorandonos” and Classic Car Rebuild. He loved sitting and drinking his coffee with his Sandies cookies. He was known for making the best Menudo and Meatloaf by his family.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife Patricia of 59 years; their children, Steve Fletcher and wife Kathy and Melissa Salas and husband Chris; and their cherished grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Derek Salas and fiancé Priscilla Gomez, Aubrey, Aysia and Alexys Salas, Kristina and Steven Jacob Fletcher.  Richard grew up with 1 brother and 5 sisters. He is survived by Cindy Santa Maria, Dolores (Manuel) Bencomo, Juanita Garcia, Armando (Kim) Fletcher and Viviana (Manuel) Galindo.  Also surviving him are his very special uncle Ruben (Carmen) Alvarado, sister & brother in-law Betty (Carlos) Ramirez as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Armando and Luisa Fletcher, sister Barbara Fletcher, brother-in-law Edward Santa Maria, and nephew Nicolas Duran. And by his beloved fur babies, his dogs Zoey Bear, Peaches, Chatito and Chata Fletcher.

Visitation for Richard will be on Sunday January 18, 2026 from 4 to 5 pm at Baca’s Funeral Chapels. The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will follow at 5 pm, led by Deacon Arthur Gutierrez. The funeral liturgy will be on Monday January 19, 2026 at 10 am at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Bayard, NM with father Martin Okonkwo officiating. The Rite of Committal burial will follow at 11 am at Hanover Cemetery where he will be laid to rest near his mother and father.

Those having the honor of being casket bearers will be Derek Salas, Steven Jacob Fletcher Jr., 1st Lt. Aysia Salas, Eric Bencomo, Edward Santa Maria Jr., Armando Fletcher III, Paul Alvarado. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are Aubrey and Alexys Salas, Kristina Fletcher, Johnny Esqueda, Ruben Alvarado, Carlos Ramirez, Ramon Marquez, Richard Esparza, Pasqual “Chuco” Ramirez and Robert Padilla.

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