Arthur P. Wickard

Arthur Paschall Wickard age 82, passed away Monday, January 22, 2018.  Arthur (also known as Art, A.P., Paschall, or Wick) was born in Clovis, NM on December 22, 1935 to  Arthur A. and Orpha Bess Wickard.  Arthur is survived by his loving wife RoseMary of 48 years; sons, Kirk Wickard and wife Ellen of Phoenix, AZ,  Ryan Wickard and partner Susie of Kansas City, MO; daughters, Michelle Escudero and Paula Escudero of Santa Fe, Lisa Escudero of Rio Rancho; grandchildren, James Littleton, Ian Baker and partner Season, Austin Wilson and Sean Wilson, Teresa Vigil and partner Gio, and Brian Vigil and partner Brooke; great-grandchildren, Xavier Vigil, Kaylene Lucero, Ezekial Lucero, and Maggie Lucero; brother, Don Wickard and wife Donna of Lubbock, TX; brother and sister-in-law’s, Thomas and Lydia Ortiz of Santa Fe, Leroy and Dora Ortiz of Albuquerque, David and Delia Ortiz of Albuquerque, John and Sandra Ortiz of Sun Lakes, AZ.  Helen and Larry Yackel of Placitas NM; as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins and special friends.  Arthur is preceded in death by his parents; son, Patrick Escudero; and granddaughter, Shuvonne Lucero.

Arthur played basketball for Clovis High School and helped lead the team to the State Championship.  He attended Howard Jr. College, Big Springs, TX. He also played basketball for the college and was selected as a Jr. College  All American Basketball Player.  In 1960 he served in the United States Army where he again excelled on the Army basketball team.  After the Army he worked on the Santa Fe Railroad until 1963 when he joined the New Mexico State Police (NMSP).  For 12 years he served as Special Investigator for three NM Attorney Generals.  In 1989 Arthur was promoted to the rank of NMSP Deputy Chief.  In his spare time, Arthur was active in the Santa Fe Little League Baseball and Football.

Arthur retired from the New Mexico State Police in 1992.  Arthur and RoseMary moved to Rio Rancho, NM in 1995 where he was active in the High Resort Village Association.  He spent many very vibrant and good years traveling and playing golf with his friends and his wife, “the love of his life”.  He very much enjoyed having time to spend with all of his family, especially the little ones. He was a sports enthusiast and was a passionate Dallas Cowboys fan.  He enjoyed music especially Glen Campbell and he spent hours relaxing and listening to his music. 

Special thanks to the entire staff at The Retreat and Hospice de La Luz, who cared for Arthur and his family during this difficult time. Arthur will be deeply missed by his family, friends and those that knew him. 

A memorial service for Arthur will be held at Daniels Family Funeral Services, Sara Road Chapel, 4310 Sara Rd., Rio Rancho, NM on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 10:30 AM.  Inurnment  will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. January 31, 2018 at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The 100 Club of New Mexico, in support of Police and Fire Fighters, PO Box 1154, Albuquerque, NM  87103, http://www.100clubnm.org  or to the Carmelite Monastery of Santa Fe, 49 Mount Carmel Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505, www.carmelofsantafe.org.