Fulfilling Rick's Last Wish: Support His Children

As many of you already know, Rick’s life came to a tragic and unexpected end. Throughout his life, he ultimately wanted to ensure his children had what they desired. He would provide what he could toward their goals in life. Rick knew that he made his fair share of bad decisions, however, his most recent regret was the choice he made to leave his children behind to find a life in San Antonio. This led him down a path where his mental health was triggered leading to multiple incidents of domestic violence. Eventually, Ricky on his own, through resources provided at the VA, realized that his new life was not working out the way he had planned. He spoke to family and friends often of his discomfort and distress and the damage of how domestic violence affected him in his marriage. He was in the process of relocating back home to El Paso to reunite with his children. He was in communication with his eldest son Devon to initiate his next move. He knew that staying in San Antonio would be a grave mistake, however, his time ran out. Prior to his passing, he had redirected his direct deposit to his eldest in an attempt to start his next steps. Meanwhile, applying for the HUD -Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (Hudsvash) in an attempt to leave the multiple triggers in San Antonio. Unfortunately, with his passing, his children can no longer benefit from the funds he intended to provide due to this tragedy. Sadly, the opportunity for his children to bury their father here in El Paso was selfishly taken from them.

His family is setting up a GoFundMe to finish what he started. Your help and support through tracked donations would be greatly appreciated. The funds collected will be used towards a Celebration of Life in his honor, to give his children, his family, and his friends the opportunity to say their goodbyes and begin our healing process. Any remaining funds will also be allocated to his children to assist with anything they may need during this difficult time now and in the future.

Men’s mental health is often overlooked and resources are available. If you or anyone suffers, please speak up so that these types of tragedies do not continue. Accountability is a personal act of integrity and moral principles. We will continue to live in a broken society until we learn how to take responsibility for our actions that negatively impact others' lives.

Dial 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Available 24/7

National Domestic Violence Hotline [phone redacted] - Available 24/7