Richard Guy Spears

Spears, Richard Guy
Age 74, passed away Saturday, November 15, 2014 at his home near Datil, NM. He was born in Albuquerque, NM on September 20, 1940, to  Guy and Birdie (Coupland) Spears. The Spears family moved to Riley, NM from Nogal in 1941. Richard graduated from Magdalena High School in 1960 and worked on the  wheat harvest spanning from the mid-west to the Canadian border for a season running a combine.  Then he worked for the Highway dept. and in 1965 he bought 2 semi's from Charlie Spears and hauled cattle, hay, dozers and anything he could to make a buck on. He went on to have various enterprises and business partners. Later, when he had some upsets in business he went to work for Weldin Burris. Richard started Spears Pipe & Welding in the early 1980's. In 1985, one year after his father's death, he bought his parent's ranch out in Riley. Richard sold the ranch in 2009. In 1989 Richard went to Belize, Central America to build a shrimp farm and took his family with him. In 1992 Richard started working with Phelps Dodge in Silver City, NM. The mine expanded and sent their business to Morenci, AZ. In 1998 Richard built a shop on the San Augustine Plains in Datil where he had crusher and gravel pit to do construction and build many of the roads in order to help develop many subdivisions in that area. Richard and Carol were married in 2006 and had been married seven years, but had a total of seventeen blissful and happy years together. In 2011 Richard was awarded the Statewide Outstanding Tree Farmer of the year award by cutting down every tree Carol wanted to keep. Some of the characteristics Richard was well known for were, always having a vision for planning and building; making the most of any project, and running any piece of equipment ever made. He could fix anything, drive anything and build anything, and also chew you out like no one's business! That's why he always wore pointed boots! If someone asked for something, he would have it done the next day. Richard kept the irons hot, taught a strong work ethic, showed you how to drive big trucks and trailers, and was VERY skillful at keeping everyone busy; because he hated burnin' day light!
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles Spears; his first wife, Martha (Young) Spears; grandson, Justin Spears.  Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Carol Coker-Spears; daughters, Leslie  Clark and husband, Clay and Jana Harding and husband, Cecil; son, Clay Spears; step-children, Kara Geng,  Cindy Christenson and husband, James and Jacquie Atwood and husband, Blaine; 19 grandchildren: Mysti, Mckensi, Melanie and Micah Spears, Kara & Jyp McCorkell, Kassandra Gabaldon, Brandon & Andrea Harding, Richard Harding & Shaylynn McCan, Tyler & Kayla Scartaccini, Brett Clark, Christopher & Savannah Geng, Trista & Omar Montoya, Bud & Rebecca Geng, Kyle Geng and Sydney, Paden, Wyatt, and Cade Christenson, Caitlynn and Kenneth Atwood; 15 great grandchildren, Kindell & Wyatt Kelly, Jada & Sylus McCorkell, Mark Gabaldon, Landon & Jaxsen Harding, Cash Scartaccini, Callie, McKenna, & Trenton Geng, Tristen Geng, Jonah & Judah Montoya, and Hadley Christenson.  Service will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, 10:00 am, at Datil Community Center.  Interment to follow at Datil Cemetery. Pallbearers are Brandon Harding, Richard Harding, Tyler Chavez-Scartaccini, Brett Clark, Jyp McCorkell, Bud Geng and Paden Christenson.  Honorary Pallbearers are Gene Castillo, Bobbie Rae, Roy Green, Santa Cruz Baca, Ambers Guin, Matt Williams.  In lieu of flowers donations may be given in Richard's honor to the New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranch, 775 Hwy 304, Belen, NM 87002 or Casa Esperanza, 1005 Yale Blvd. NE, Albuquerque,NM 87106. Richard's care has been entrusted to  
Daniels Family Funeral Services
309 Garfield St
Socorro, NM 87801
575-835-1530