Richard Gonzalez Campos Jr.

El Paso, Texas – Richard graduated from Riverside High School, Class of 1974; and was affectionately called Dickie by his family; and Rick by his friends and associates. During his high school years, he was lovingly known for his poetry, reading, editorials, and harmonizing his voice with his family. He served the US Navy from 1974 – 1978 as a Cryptologic Technician. His most loved ship was the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and his favorite companion while underway was contraband he brought onboard from a forbidden city in Japan – a guitar. Be it known by the “Ruler of the Raging Man” Neptunus Rex and His Majesty Scribe, Davy Jones, that Dickie had been duly initiated in the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of Shellbacks while traversing in the Southern Philippine Sea. Contrary to his favorite ship, he greatly emphasized that his time served on a destroyer made him sick to his stomach.

During his time in the Navy, Dickie’s most important memory was the surprise letter he received from a suitor identified by his mom. Aurora Imai and Irma Najera had met at a Child Development Workshop at Bowie High School. Aurora knew Irma was the “one” and encouraged her to write a letter to her son who was serving in the Navy. Dickie and Irma started a pen pal relationship. Eventually, Irma was invited to visit Dickie at Pearl Harbor. While Irma was visiting, Dickie bought a carton of milk and drank from it, expired and leaky. Dickie ended up in the hospital and Irma nurtured him back to health. Dickie fell in love with Irma during his recovery, and Hawaii would forever hold a special memory so dear to them both.

After serving in the Navy, Dickie served as a 911 Dispatch Supervisor for the city of El Paso in order to have a foundation to which to ask Irma to marry him. Dickie would tell Irma that he loved her more than a “Gibson Guitar.” Dickie and Irma would marry 29 March 1980, one day after his birthday, a joke between Dickie and Irma, that the day would never be easily forgotten. Dickie and Irma raised four children together, Stephanie, Aubrey, Richard, and Jenna. Dickie’s love for his wife and family would drive Dickie to pursue great and wonderful things, an education from UTEP, computer consultant with Litton PRC, returning to the City of El Paso as an Enterprise Applications Manager, finding and receiving Christ through baptism, serving at his church and living for God daily. His love for fishing, golfing, guitar, treasure hunting and Bigfoot can be seen in the photos and through the eyes of his children and grandkids.

Dickie was a playful human being with a great sense of humor. His second mom, Juanita Najera, would one day visit their home requiring the use of the microwave. With an aging microwave, usually the “minute” button is worn and illegible. Irma, loving daughter, would take a sharpie and circle the “minute” button guiding her mother to the proper use. Dickie, would happen upon the microwave and place an “X” diagonal to the Circle. When asked, why the “X?” Dickie responded, “Aren’t we playing Tic Tac Toe?” Dickie has a great sense of humor, ask any of his children to tell the Ether Bunny Joke around Easter.

Richard “Dickie” Gonzalez Campos Jr., age 65, was called to Heaven September 4, 2021 after battling COVID; one day after his beloved wife’s birthday… so the joke between Dickie and Irma would survive after his passing. Born in El Paso, Richard was a loving son, brother, husband, father, Grandpa and Paka. He is survived by his mom, Aurora Imai; siblings, Catherine Campos (Yanez), Louie Imai, Robert “Bobby” Imai, Arthur Imai, Patricia “Patsy” Imai; Kevin Campos, Kerwin Campos, his loving wife, Irma Campos; his children, Stephanie Anchondo (Raymond), Aubrey Houze (Danny), Richard Campos, Jenna Freeman (Austin); grandchildren (Stephanie) Elijah, Miracle, Faith, Uriah, Anahi; grandchildren (Aubrey) Ethan, Liam; grandchildren (Jenna) Adeline, Emmalyn. He is preceded in death by his dad, Luis H. Imai, and father, Richard Gonzalez Campos Sr.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 15, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Funeral Home West. Committal Service will be Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Military Honors.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestfhwest.com for the CAMPOS family.