Obituary for Richard "Rico" Arellano
Richard “Rico” Allen Arellano, devoted husband, father and son passed into the loving arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ on March 19, 2023 at the age of 68. Richard was born on March 1, 1955 to Mike Ortiz Arellano and Mildred Stanford Arellano in Pontiac, Michigan.
Rico married the love of his life, Barbara Duty Arellano in 1999. They enjoyed traveling the world together, sharing their passion for the Dallas Cowboys and hated spending even one moment apart.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 6-8 PM at Oakcrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd, Waco, Texas. Rosary will be held by Deacon Ray Carter of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church of Waco at the funeral home that evening. Mass of Christian burial will be held by Father C. Benjamin Magnaye, Friday, March 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2621 Bagby Ave, Waco, Texas. There will be a violin performance by very special friends, Baylor Associate Professor of Violin, Patricia Shih and husband Nikita Pogrebnoy. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.
Richard attended TSTC in Waco. He was Sales Manager at Clayton Homes of Waco and was inducted into the Clayton Homes Hall of Fame in 2021. He believed everyone deserved a beautiful home, and was passionate about helping his clients achieve their dreams.
Rico loved sports. He excelled in baseball and football at University High School in Waco, under the leadership of Coach Robert Duty. Funny thing, Coach Duty became his uncle-in-law when he married Barbara Duty. Coaching his son, Spencer, in Select Baseball and soccer in Midway was pure joy for him.
Rico was especially proud to have a part in the action-packed thriller, 1987 movie, ‘No Safe Haven’ with Wings Hauser, father of Paramount’s Yellowstone series, Cole Hauser.
Richard was preceded in death by his father, Mike Arellano and nephew Nathan Hardcastle.
Survived by his loving wife, Barbara Arellano of Hewitt; his son, Dustin; daughter, Raven and his beloved son, Spencer Arellano who took special care, and was with him in the final months of his life. Also survived by his mother, Mildred Arellano of Waco; mother-in-love, Peggy Duty of Waco; brother, Charles Arellano and wife, Bertha of Hewitt, sister, Teresa Hardcastle and husband, Mike of Cypress; sister-in-law Valerie Citrano and husband Donald; brother-in-law, Dan Duty; uncle, George Banda and wife Gracie of South Texas; cousin, Irene Arellano and wife, Kathy and special friend Lexi Lopez of Hewitt.
Pallbearers for the service will be Richard Benvenutti, Daniel Follis, Daniel Garcia, Kris Kizer, Scott Nix and Danny Potter.
Special thanks to the BS&W In and Out Patient Neuro Rehab Departments, especially Brianne K, Katie, Katy B, Melissa, Shawna and Antónia.
Rico had an exuberant, warm personality. His signature greeting, “Who loves ya, baby?” will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Rico married the love of his life, Barbara Duty Arellano in 1999. They enjoyed traveling the world together, sharing their passion for the Dallas Cowboys and hated spending even one moment apart.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 6-8 PM at Oakcrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd, Waco, Texas. Rosary will be held by Deacon Ray Carter of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church of Waco at the funeral home that evening. Mass of Christian burial will be held by Father C. Benjamin Magnaye, Friday, March 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2621 Bagby Ave, Waco, Texas. There will be a violin performance by very special friends, Baylor Associate Professor of Violin, Patricia Shih and husband Nikita Pogrebnoy. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.
Richard attended TSTC in Waco. He was Sales Manager at Clayton Homes of Waco and was inducted into the Clayton Homes Hall of Fame in 2021. He believed everyone deserved a beautiful home, and was passionate about helping his clients achieve their dreams.
Rico loved sports. He excelled in baseball and football at University High School in Waco, under the leadership of Coach Robert Duty. Funny thing, Coach Duty became his uncle-in-law when he married Barbara Duty. Coaching his son, Spencer, in Select Baseball and soccer in Midway was pure joy for him.
Rico was especially proud to have a part in the action-packed thriller, 1987 movie, ‘No Safe Haven’ with Wings Hauser, father of Paramount’s Yellowstone series, Cole Hauser.
Richard was preceded in death by his father, Mike Arellano and nephew Nathan Hardcastle.
Survived by his loving wife, Barbara Arellano of Hewitt; his son, Dustin; daughter, Raven and his beloved son, Spencer Arellano who took special care, and was with him in the final months of his life. Also survived by his mother, Mildred Arellano of Waco; mother-in-love, Peggy Duty of Waco; brother, Charles Arellano and wife, Bertha of Hewitt, sister, Teresa Hardcastle and husband, Mike of Cypress; sister-in-law Valerie Citrano and husband Donald; brother-in-law, Dan Duty; uncle, George Banda and wife Gracie of South Texas; cousin, Irene Arellano and wife, Kathy and special friend Lexi Lopez of Hewitt.
Pallbearers for the service will be Richard Benvenutti, Daniel Follis, Daniel Garcia, Kris Kizer, Scott Nix and Danny Potter.
Special thanks to the BS&W In and Out Patient Neuro Rehab Departments, especially Brianne K, Katie, Katy B, Melissa, Shawna and Antónia.
Rico had an exuberant, warm personality. His signature greeting, “Who loves ya, baby?” will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.