Richard Melendez

Services are scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Richard G. Melendez of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Melendez, 52, died Sunday, January 1, 2012 at the Artesia General Hospital Emergency Room.

Fr. Paul Murtagh SS.CC. will officiate at the services with burial at Twin Oaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Vince Ruiz, Erik McCormick, Anthony Mariscal, Jaime Mariscal, Daniel Mariscal,and Gabriel Mariscal.

Visitation will be at Terpening Son Mortuary Friday beginning at 12:00 p.m.

A rosary will be at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Richard was born April 26, 1959 in Artesia the son of Jose Melendez and Irene Garcia Melendez. He was a lifelong Artesia resident.

He was a Greeter at Walmart and a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Richard also had a love for music.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Survivors include his daughter Crystal Duran Bravo of Dexter, N.M. sisters Sylvia Ruiz and husband Joe of Artesia, Elia Mariscal and husband Joe of Artesia, and Susan Aguilera and husband Jorge of Houston, Texas grandchildren Johnathon, Jesus, Jeremy, and Josiah fiance Mary Arias of Tucumcari, N.M. stepsons Paul Marez and wife Laura of Gallup, N.M., Jose Marez, Jr. of Albuquerque, N.M. stepgrandchildren Adaeus Marez, Paul Marez, Jr., and Kaitlyn Marez.