Richard Harris

Richard J. Harris was born November 6, 1959, in Hobart, OK to Dickie Joe Harris and Lydia Rose Salas. He took his last earthly breath and first heavenly breath on November 2, 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Richard was raised by his great-grandparents Salas. All who knew Richard knew of his love for his family. Especially his grandchildren. He was very proud of his daughters, Courtney and Heather and his extended family of daughters Katy and Chelsea.

Richard has been in Ruidoso since he was 5 years old. He went to school all his life in Ruidoso, graduating in 1979. He and his wife Denise were high school sweethearts and married on June 20, 1992, in Roswell, NM. Richard was a very hard worker at everything he did. He worked in several places and jobs. Richard started working for Robert Beavers at B&B ready mix his junior year of high school. He loved the Beavers family, and they loved him as one of their own. Richard helped build machinery from the ground up, drove concrete trucks, mixed concrete, and all other aspects of the job. He was at this job until he left to start his own company Sidewinders, following in his dad’s footsteps in the concrete business. He and his daughters ran Sidewinders Concrete Pumping until his retirement in 2023 due to health problems. Richard loved his community. He would plow the roads for 24 hours straight to ensure the safety of his neighbors. In 2012, Richard found out he had cancer. He fought this with all his might until God called him home.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 32 years, Denise; daughters, Courtney Reyes of Ruidoso, Heather Hobbs (Danny) of Carrizozo, Katy Perales (Parick) of Colorado, and Cheslea Colwell of Texas; grandchildren, Julianna, Patrick Jr., Gage Perales, Jemma Perales, Hunter Maxwell, Steven Maxwell, Wyatt Layher, and Chelsea Colwell; sister, Pennie Tollison (Les); brother, Mark Harris; several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, work acquaintances, and friends too numerous to mention. Richard is preceded in death by his father, stepmother, grandparents, great grandparents, brother, and mother.

Richard will be sent for cremation under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Ruidoso Downs Baptist Church with Charlie Knight and Dwayne Morris officiating. A meal will follow, and all are invited to attend.

The family wishes for anyone that has stories or memories of Richard, to please share them at the service.

Honorary Pallbearers are Danny Hobbs, Patrick Perales, Myron Morgenstern, Lesley Tollison, Shale Layher, Adam Paige, Mark Gowdy, Mark Griewahn, Steven Temple, Danny Garcia, and Kevin Dempster.