Richard Luna

Obituary For Richard Luna

Richard T. Luna went to be with the Lord on July 27, 2018. He was born to Flor T. Luna and Olivia T. Luna on January 31, 1960 in Truth or Consequences, NM. He was the fourth of six sons to Flor and Olivia. Ricky, as he is known by most, attended school in Truth or Consequences, NM and graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1978. He met the love of his life, Marilyn, at a local restaurant where she would wait on him when he would take his lunch breaks from the local Piggly Wiggly. They were married on August 9, 1980 at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in front of all their family and friends. It would be two years before they had children, Rebecca being the first born followed by Richard Eric, Tabitha and Nicholas. In the mid 1980’s he graduated from Barber College and began cutting hair under Joe Silva at Joe’s Barber Shop in Truth or Consequences, NM. A few years later he opened his own shop, Butte Barber Shop, in Elephant Butte, NM. Finally, he opened Ricky’s Barber Shop in Truth or Consequences, NM and was in business at the same location for 20 years. Music was a huge part of Ricky’s life. At the very young age of 6 years old Ricky would be seen taking his guitar with him everywhere he went. He learned how to play from his dad and so began a lifelong dedication to his music. It became evident that music was his calling as he was so musically inclined, he could play lead, rhythm, bass guitar, saxophone, piano, accordion, violin, drums and the trumpet. Throughout the years he was in many bands, from winning a competition in high school, playing with his good friend Tudy Romero and his band Tudy and the Silver Bullet Band for 14 years, the Legacy Band which also included his brother Johnnie, son Eric and Leonard Garcia and lastly the Suthern Blend Band with David Garcia, Leonard Garcia & Jose Rios. Ricky loved spending time with his family, especially camping. He always looked forward to their annual trip to Bear Dam Lake in Mimbres, NM. His favorite football team was the Dallas Cowboys and his best birthday may have been when they won the Super Bowl in 1993. He was a coach for the local little league and later an announcer for the games. He volunteered at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church bingo nights. Ricky, his wife and mother recently returned from a trip to California for a family reunion, where he met so many cousins and visited Disneyland for the first time. He was also planning a big celebration for his mother’s upcoming birthday. Ricky was preceded in death by his younger brother, Johnnie Luna, his father Flor Luna, and his older brothers Flor Luna Jr. & Johnny Luna. He is survived by his mother, Olivia Luna, his wife of 37 years, Marilyn Luna, his children Rebecca Quiles (Matthew), Eric Luna (Crystal), Tabitha Crawford (Tim) and Nicholas Luna, grandchildren Matthew, Jayden, Shylah, Bowden, Jaxon, Jason and Jordan, his brothers LeeRoy Luna and Andy Luna (Yuko), numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and Godchildren as well as his bandmates David Garcia (Cheryl), Leonard Garcia & Jose Rios (Yvonne). A Viewing will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 6:30 P.M. followed by a Prayer Vigil at 7:00 P.M. led by Deacon Adam Sanchez and Deacon Jim Winder. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 3, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. celebrated by Rev. Marcos O. Reyna. Ricky will be laid to rest in the Santo Niño Cemetery in Chloride, NM. The Family welcomes all to a reception at the WCCD Community Center, Winston, NM following the burial.