José (Rick) Ricardo Mendoza, age 64, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10, 2020, at his home.

Rick was born in Laredo, Texas, on August 5, 1955. He was the son of Silverio and Gloria (Herrera) Mendoza. He was one of ten children. He graduated high school from Worland, Wyoming, in 1974. After high school, Rick attended Marymount College in Salina, Kansas, on a cross country scholarship. During his college career, he excelled at cross country, and he even placed 25th at Nationals. While attending Marymount College, Rick met Shirley. Soon after college, Rick and Shirley wed on Dec. 10, 1977. Shortly after they married, they moved to Greeley, Colorado, and eventually settled in Phillipsburg, Kansas, in 1983. They shared forty two years of marriage, and their union was blessed with four children.

Rick attended the First Assembly of God Church in Phillipsburg, Kansas. As an adult, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior. He enjoyed watching sports, especially his favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys, playing cards, playing chess, carpentry work, coaching, teaching, trout fishing, and collecting baseball cards. His greatest love was spending time with his family and his eleven grandchildren. He enjoyed watching and talking about all of his kids and grandkids and all of their many activities.

Survivors include: his wife, Shirley Mendoza, of Phillipsburg, Kansas; two sons, JR, and his wife Kayla (their children Manny, Mariah, Emmy, and Mylee), of Plains, Kansas; Juan Miguel, and his wife Ashley (their children Ava, Maverick, and Major), of McPherson, Kansas; two daughters, Chalina, and her husband Steven Seems (their children Caden, Ryleigh, Jack, and Kynleigh), of Phillipsburg, Kansas; Elaina, and Nicholas Bowman, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brothers Eligio, and his wife Celia, of Lakewood, CO; John, and his wife Lisa, of Denver, CO; sisters Elsa, and her husband Jesus, of Worland, WY; Mary Alcarez of Worland WY; Linda Suniga, Patricia Mendoza, and Belen Reyes, all of Denver, CO.

Rick is preceded in death by his parents, Silverio and Gloria; brother, Silverio Jr; sister, Yolanda Reyes; and niece. Rosie Reyes.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 15 ^th in the First Assembly of God in Phillipsburg, with Pastor Dennis L. Haarer officiating.  Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Logan.

Mr. Mendoza will lie in state from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with the family receiving friends Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. for visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Health Department or the Rick Mendoza Scholarship Fund.