Richard Greenaker

Richard John "Rick" Greenaker
Earth has lost a great man. Richard John Greenaker, 72, succumbed to cancer at home surrounded by family on Sunday. Rick is predeceased by his mother Elsie and step-father Robert Wiedrich. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Andrea Greenaker, his two children John and Paula Dry, his brother and sister-in-law Edward and Mary Greenaker and their children Joshua Greenaker and Sara (Chris) Bankich, and great-nephew Benjamin Bankich.
Rick served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and valued and maintained relationships with his brothers in arms. From there he went to Colorado Mountain College and earned an Associate's Degree in Photography. For many years, Rick was an over-the-road truck driver; he retired as a CDL Associate Professor at San Juan College. As a lifelong Boy Scout, he belonged to the Order of the Arrow and was an accomplished Scoutmaster who founded troops in Aztec and Farmington. Rick was a Master Mason, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a Shriner. He was a member of Caliente Community Chorus; he and Andrea enjoyed Caliente's trip to Scotland and Ireland in 2017. In addition, he sang in the choirs at Aztec Presbyterian and First Presbyterian Church in Farmington and served as an elder and deacon. Rick was a friend of Bill W. for more than 33 years.
San Juan County residents will remember Santa Rick, who was an Official Member of The National Beard Registry (No. 7407). Rick was a graduate of the Professional Santa Claus School in Denver, CO. He touched so many people with his 'larger than life' personality, kindness, and humor.
A memorial service will be held later in the year; in lieu of flowers the family prefers you to make memorial donations in Richard Greenaker's name to the First Presbyterian Church, Farmington, or the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Farmington Funeral Home, 2111 W. Apache Street, Farmington, NM 87401, (505) 325-2211, farmingtonfuneral.com.