With deep sorrow and enduring love, we announce the passing of ADRIAN RICARDO "DICKIE" OGAZ, a second-generation farmer of the Hatch Valley. He passed peacefully at home on Friday, June 27, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones at the age of 86. Born the first son to Adrian and Carmen Ogaz, Dickie was raised alongside his four siblings in the close-knit village of Garfield, New Mexico. His life was rooted in the land. From the age of eight, he worked alongside his father on the family farm, where he learned firsthand the discipline, resilience, and quiet pride that farming demands. By 1959, he had embraced the life of a New Mexico farmer in full. He cultivated cotton, alfalfa, corn, watermelon, and his signature green chile, all renowned far beyond the Hatch Valley. Known as a fair and honest businessman, Dickie never missed his chance to seal a deal - or sweeten it with a watermelon or two.

Dickie will be remembered for his lifelong commitment to the agricultural and youth livestock communities of southern New Mexico. He served as president of the Hatch Chile Growers Association and was a founding member of both the Sierra County Fair and Southern New Mexico State Fair. For many years he was a 4-H leader in Sierra County. In the last three decades, he was a regular buyer at the Southern New Mexico State Fair youth livestock auction. Dickie was an active supporter of youth athletics and an avid supporter of the Hatch Bears and New Mexico State Aggies. In 1957 he was one of the selected members of the New Mexico North/South Basketball team.

Dickie served as Chairman of the Sierra County Soil Conservation District and was a longtime member of the boards of Sierra County, Dona Ana County, and Southern New Mexico State Fairs. He was also on the boards of the Garfield and Hatch Cooperative Cotton Gin Associations and a member of the San Isidro Parish Council. In 2001 Dickie was inducted into the Sam Steel Society, and in 2003 he was honored to be the recipient of the 2003 New Mexico Department of Agriculture Farm Family of the year. Dickie leaves behind his beloved wife of 65 years, Cleofas, his enduring partner through gentle days and stormy seasons. He also leaves two sons, Edward (Julie) and Gilbert (Delia), and siblings Patsy (Enrique) and Edmund (Alice). Dickie will be dearly missed by his seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, each proudly carrying a spark of his wit, humor, and unmistakable wry smile. He is preceded in death by his youngest son, Richard, his parents, Adrian and Carmen, and siblings Hector and Anita. Dickie also leaves behind a wide circle of cherished friends whose lives he touched with generosity and kindness. Dickie's legacy will continue to live on through each harvest of the Ogaz family farm for generations to come. His enduring love for the land and the community he served stands as a testament to a life well-lived.

A rosary and memorial mass will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at 10 AM at San Isidro Catholic Church in Garfield, New Mexico, with visitation beginning at 9 AM. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at Garfield Cemetery, where Dickie will be laid to rest.

A celebration of life will take place immediately afterward at San Isidro Hall.

Serving as casket bearers will be Zachary Ogaz, Lucas Ogaz, Joseph Ogaz, Graham Davies, Chris Cordero, and Dante Ogaz. Honorary bearers are Vicente Zamora, Adam Lara, Jeff Lara, and Ezequiel Duron.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly invites donations to the Hatch Valley High School FFA program, in honor of Dickie's lifelong dedication to agriculture and to ensure the fields he loved continue to flourish.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com