Richard Wayne Durbin

Elsa- Mr. Richard Wayne Durbin went to be with the Lord on February 16th, 2016, at the age of 56. He was born to William “Pop” and Elena “Nene” Durbin on August 22, 1959 in Raymondville, TX. He was the third born of five siblings.
He grew up in Raymondville and later moved to Edinburg. He raised cattle with his dad. Ricky developed a love for cattle and he demonstrated this throughout his childhood. He showed and raised Brahman cows and loved them so much he would draw pictures of them instead of doing his schoolwork. He had a love of animals, but his favorite were the Brahman cows. He also loved bull riding and was known to sneak out of the house as his mom disapproved of this hobby. She would make him wear sneakers to try and curtail his passion.
He graduated from Edinburg high school. It was there where he met the love of his life, Jenny, his high school sweetheart. After meeting Jenny, he went to work for her dad, Don Smith, in construction. He and Jenny wed on December 29th, 1979. The had two beautiful babies, Ricky “Shane” and Rebecca “Shea”. They would raise their family in Elsa, Texas.
Shortly after he became a dad, he began fulfilling his childhood dream of having his own cattle company. He also was a life-long farmer, working with his father and brothers, most of his life. They were custom harvesters, farming in cotton, grain, corn and just about anything else. In the early years they worked as a family and in the later years, he and Jenny branched off and built their own business, which would include farming, cattle and construction. They were a great team. Together, Ricky and Jenny shared a love for team roping. Ricky began exploring his love for roping and this love continued to grow with their children. Their days consisted of lots of learning and roping sessions, loving the sport, while developing close relationships with friends that, over the years, have become like family. Their arena became quite the popular place then. Many people held clinics there for team roping and barrel racing, as well as some team pennings.
Between the clinics and roping productions held in their backyard, they built a life together based on hard work and compassion for others.
Unfortunately, in 2008, Ricky’s life would change forever. Jenny was diagnosed with a brain aneurism and in 2009 she lost the battle and Ricky lost his life partner and love of his life. He is also preceded in death by his father, William Durbin, his mother, Elena Durbin, and his mother in law, Joy Smith.
He is survived by his son, Shane Durbin, his daughter, Shea Durbin, his sister, Mary Helen as he lovingly referred to her as “sister” and her husband Bob Woods, his brothers, Billy Durbin and wife, Susie, Anthony Durbin and wife, Darlene, and Donald Durbin and wife Sandi, his father in law, Don Carlos Smith, his brothers in law, Larry Smith and wife Anna, and Mark Goldammer, Sisters in law Lydia Wiley and husband Nub, and Dawn Karla Goldammer, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Ricky will forever be remembered as a man with a huge heart who was caring, generous and compassionate.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 22nd, from 3-8pm, with the family present from 5-8pm. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 2pm at the Church of Christ at 1220 S Bridge Ave in Weslaco. Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park where he will be laid to rest beside his true love, Jenny.
Serving as pallbearers for the church will be Glen Bell, Colby Sheeman, Johnny Pulsas, Gary White, Bob Woods, Billy Best, Dusty Syphers, and Fritz Lenny. Serving as pallbearers at the graveside will be Rolando Gonzalez, Americo Gonzalez, Roel Gonzalez, Gilberto Lopez, Manuel Ambriz, Doug Shock, and Jack Vernon.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions for his funeral services to be mailed or dropped by Elsa State Bank, PO Box 397, Elsa, Texas, 78543, Account Number 163929, phone number 956-262-1391.