Richard Vialpando,
age 22, a resident of Cañones passed away on Monday, April 14, 2009 as a result of an automobile accident. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Medardo and Octaviana Garcia; and his paternal grandparents, Vivian & Jose Dolores Vialpando, Uncle Rudy and Mateo Garcia. Richard was a loving son and brother. He cared deeply for his mother and would kiss her and tell her everyday that he loved her. He loved taking his mother 4-wheeling in the mountains. Richard loved cooking, as he was an excellent cook. It was he who prepared the Easter meal for his entire family. Richard was so proud of being an uncle and loved his nephews and nieces, Isaiah, Noah, Sarah Marie, Savannah, Kevin and Cristy. He will be remembered for his contagious smile. He is survived by his mother, Juanita Vialpando, dad, Jake Gonzales; father, Richard Vialpando; brother, Wilfred Vialpando of Cañones; Noel and wife Rachelle of Espanola; sisters, Josanna Gonzales of Cañones, Valerie Herrera and husband Steve of Espanola; half-brothers, Enrique, David, Rudolfo, and Ricardo Vialpando, all of Alamosa, CO; aunts, Susie and Marcella of Espanola, Elaiza, Sylvia and Ramona of Coyote, Adela, Virginia, and Lonisio of Cañones, Becky of Espanola, Ramona of Alamosa, CO, and Lorraine of Cuba; uncles, Medardo of Mesa de Poleo, Ramon of Espanola, and Mark of Albuquerque; nephews and nieces, Isaiah, Noah, Sarah Marie, Savanna, Kevin and Kristy, and God Father Eligio Velasquez. Public visitation was Friday, April 17, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at Victory Faith Church in Espanola; a devotional service followed at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday April 18, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Abiquiu, burial followed at the Cañones Community Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers, Lonnie Vialpando, Manuel, and Joshua Martinez, Jose Morfin and Arnold Trujillo and Luisito Acosta. Honorary pallbearers were Nick Bailey and Aaron Archuleta. The family of Richard Vialpando has placed their trust in DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477 or www.devargasfuneral.com