Ralph Archibeque Sr., age 87, of Montrose, Colo., passed away Dec. 29, 2011 at his daughter’s home in Montrose. Ralph was born Aug. 15, 1924 to John Domingo and Mary Placita (Espinoza) Archibeque on Summit Ridge in Mancos. On Oct. 4, 1950, Ralph married the love of his life, Maria Dora Salazar in Aztec, N.M.

Ralph loved the mountains and his horses. He was a true cowboy, a fence contractor, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Ralph and Dora lived in Lebanon, Colo., Hawthorne, Nev., and Ridgway, Colo. The couple lived in Norwood, Colo. from 1972 to 1978 before locating to Montrose, but also spent a huge portion of their life in the mountains, where Ralph was a fence contractor for many years and had a business known as Archibeque Fencing. Ralph, Dora and their daughter, Patricia spent several years in Littleton, Colo. and Phoenix, Ariz., as owner and trainers of racehorses, and had many happy trails along the way.

Ralph was on the San Miguel County Search and Rescue Crew in the early 1970’s, and worked for the San Miguel Sheriff’s Department. He was a romantic and would pick wildflowers in the mountains for Dora on a daily basis.

Surviving family members who were proud and blessed to share Ralph’s life include his youngest daughter, Patricia Archibeque, and grandson, Justin Kaylor of the family home; daughter Barbara and husband Jasper Sandoval, son Ralph Archibeque, Jr., all of Montrose; six grandchildren, Justin, Darrin, Eric, Doyle, Tracy, and Jeff; 13 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Other surviving family members include his sisters, Marcilla Espinoza of Farmington, N.M., Percilla Gallegos of Salt Lake City, Utah, Margie and husband Arturo Estrada of Magna, Utah, Virginia and husband John Schaffer of Folsom, Penn., JoAnn Archibeque of Livermore, Calif., Ester and husband Kim Johnson of Las Vegas, Nev.; brothers Mike and wife Carmilita Archibeque of Cortez, Ben and wife Florence Archibeque of Mancos, Johnny and wife Patsy of Cortez; Godson, Robert Espinoza and Goddaughter, Debbie Ault.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, Jan. 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Friday, Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. at Cortez Cemetery in Cortez. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose.