Richard Dean Grasmick

PROGRESO LAKES - Richard Dean Grasmick, 68, passed away on Thursday, August 11th, 2016. He was born in La Junta, Colorado to William and Mary Grasmick. He was one of seven children. He had an older brother, Bill, and younger brothers, Tom, David and Charles, and two younger sisters, Cathy and Susan. He grew up in Granada, Colorado where he graduated from high school. Rick played every sport they offered and was good at them all too. He was a great athlete. After graduating from high school, he continued his education at Lamar Community College and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo, Colorado. He was originally planning to teach, so he did his student teaching at Harrison High in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Instead of teaching, he and his brothers would continue to run the family farming business, Grasmick Inc., where they specialized in crops and produce. In the meantime, he had two children, Nikki and Christopher. He loved to watch them play sports as they were growing up. While raising the children and working in the family business, Rick also volunteered and served on many boards. He was on the Lamar Canal Board, Granada Canal Board, Southeast Colorado Power Association, to name a few. He was also a member of the Elk's Lodge, where he helped in many capacities. In 1998, Rick moved to Texas to manage the family business. They had a packing shed in Weslaco and Pharr. In 2002, he met Karen and the two instantly fell in love. They would marry four months later, on February 15th, 2003. They built a house in Progreso Lakes and enjoyed 13 years together. Rick had many hobbies, mostly watching sports. He was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed watching the Denver Broncos. His favorite sporting event to watch was Little League baseball, he and Karen never missed a Little League World Series game. Rick and Karen were also active in the Weslaco Elk's Lodge. He also loved to travel and had just retired in 2015. Rick enjoyed playing cards and socializing. He also loved to golf when he had the time. He adored his grandchildren and would constantly get updates on how they were doing in sports and everyday life. Rick will mostly be remembered as someone who was full of life. He never met a stranger and had many, many friends. He was a very sweet, sincere and humble man. He loved his wife and family. Rick would do anything for anyone and he was a great farmer and one of the best onion grower specialist in the farming business. Rick is preceded in death by his parents and half-sister, Patricia Grasmick. He is survived by his loving wife, Karen, his son, Christopher Grasmick (Samantha), of Spokane, Washington, daughter, Nikki Hartman (Thom) of Littleton, Colorado, step-daughter, Jessica Tidwell of San Antonio, Texas, brothers, Bill Grasmick (Lauren) of Lamar, Colorado, Tom Grasmick (Sheryl) of Granada, Colorado, David Grasmick (Debbie) of Pueblo, Colorado, Charles Grasmick (Sharon), of Granada, Colorado, sisters, Cathy Grasmick (Mohammed Ghamdi) of Pueblo, Colorado, and Susan Grasmick, of Berryton, Kansas, half-sister, Barbara "Jo" Teubner of Colorado Springs, Colorado, half-brother, Gerald Grasmick of Swink, Colorado, grandsons, Thomas and Nolan Hartman, Liam and Logan Grasmick, and granddaughter, Tatum Tidwell, beloved dog, Hank, and numerous nephews and nieces. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, August 15th, 2pm at McCaleb Funeral Home Chapel in Weslaco with a reception to follow at Weslaco Elk's Lodge.