Richard Ponce

Richard Rodrigo Ponce

March 13, 1933 - January 23, 2018

Richard, 84, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and all around good guy passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, surrounded by family. Richard was born Monday, March 13, 1933, to Frank and Rosa Ponce in Basin, Wyoming. He was one of eleven children born to Frank and Rosa. It was also Lena, Katie, Sally, Helen, Joe, Sandy, Alice, Lalo, and Susie. In 1953, Richard married the love of his life, Josie “Pepa” Herrera. The following day, he departed to the United States Army in preparation of the Korean War. Richard and Pepa had four children and raised two grandchildren as their own: Robert (Susan) Ponce, Billings, MT; Susie Longoria, (Deceased); Frank Ponce, Ontario, OR; Mary (Juan) Renteria, Hermiston, OR; Grandson Freddie (Keely) Ponce, Ontario, OR; Grandson Javier DeLaPena Ponce, (Deceased). Richard loved spending time watching TV, spending time with family, be it here or in Billings. You knew that he loved it when he spent time with his sisters or brother. His eyes would light up and he would have a smile from ear to ear like the Cheshire cat. They would all spend hours laughing, telling stories of days past. He also loved fishing. There could never be too much fishing or the usual weekend “ride around”. He also loved spending time with his great, and great great-grandkids. After his beloved wife of 59 years had passed, his time was devoted to his great and great great-grandkids. Making nameplates, and little trinkets for them. Richard might not have been the huggy, lovey-dovey type, but you knew that he loved you. He had a way of conveying that to you. He would have a twinkle in is eye, give you a little side smile, or just say “yeat, yeat” when you told him that you loved him and that he meant the world to you. Richard wasn’t perfect by all means, but to us that called him grandpa, gramps, papa, Dad, tio, brother, friend, he was the most perfect man in the world. Someone who loved unconditionally in his own way, the best way, that he knew how. Richard is preceded in death by his wife Pepa, grandson Javi, daughter Susie, brothers Sandy and Joe, sisters Jenny, Alice, Lalo and Susie. He is survived by his sons Robert, Frank, Freddie and daughter Mary, and sisters Lena, Katie, Sally, and Helen. He is also survived by numerous grandkids, great grandkids and great great-grandkids. A viewing and rosary will be held Monday February 5th 2018, from 1-3 at Haren-Wood Mortuary. Funeral services will be Tuesday February 6th 2018 at 11 am at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, in Ontario, OR, with internment at Evergreen Cemetery to follow .

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