Richard Browning

Richard "Dick" Browning, age 87, of Roswell, passed away peacefully at home on Monday November 14, 2016. He will lie-in-state from 1-5 pm on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at LaGrone Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Monday, November 21, 2016 at Highland Baptist Church. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery. Pastor Richard Smith of Highland Baptist Church will officiate. Military honors will be rendered by Cannon Air Force Base Honor Guard and The Roswell Veterans Honor Guard.

Richard was born in Midwest, Wyoming to Richard Louis and Alma Lolita Browning. At age 19 as a private in the U.S. Air Force stationed at Walker Air Force Base, he met the love of his life. As the story goes, he and a friend, both on their first night out from the base, stopped a couple of girls to ask directions to a football game. One of the girls was Claudene Lloyd. Six months later on March 2, 1949 they were married.

Richard's Air Force career took him, Claudene, and their growing family to Alaska, Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, and Japan. In between family moves, Richard did yearlong assignments in Greenland and in Viet Nam. He was also able to do two assignments back in Roswell, one of which assigned him to "close out the base". After a 30-year career in the Air Force he retired as a Senior Master Sargent in 1975 and returned to Roswell.
After retirement, his first task was to tear down the old family home that Claudene grew up in. He recycled all he could from the old home and with little construction knowledge he built a new home that is still the family home today.

He was known as "Papa" to all. Not just the children but adults as well. Papa loved fishing with his friends and RVing with this family, but his passion was playing the piano and singing. Papa never had any piano lessons and could not read music, but ever since he was teenager he would sit down and play whenever there was a piano around. For a time, he, family members, and several friends played and sang at the Oddfellows Lodge, at the J.O.Y. Center, and at all the nursing homes in Roswell. Eventually it was only he and his friend Jack, but they continued playing together and entertaining around town until Jack's death a few years ago.

Church was a very important part of Papa's life. As a deacon at Highland Baptist Church he was totally devoted to attendance, almost never missing a service. He was always available, never said "No", and never met a stranger. He had a big heart and faith in all people.
Preceding Papa in death were his parents, 3 brothers, 3 sisters, son Randy Richard Browning, infant twin sons Timothy Lee and Thomas Dean Browning, grandson Christopher Lee Lemley, and son-in-law David G. Rosson.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years Claudene Browning, son Bradley Lloyd Browning and wife Amy of Cherry Lake, Florida, daughters Susan Randolph and husband Larry of Roswell, New Mexico, Loretta Lemley and husband Ken of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, Judy Macon and husband Charlie of Austin, Texas, and Dixie Rosson of Walsenburg, Colorado. Two granddaughters that he raised Tammy Datcher and husband Jay of Allen, Texas, and Andrea Lucero and husband Gilbert of Roswell, New Mexico, granddaughters Michele Louton and husband Andy of Roswell, New Mexico, Angela Samland and husband Jeremy of Colorado Springs, Colorado, grandsons Joe Randolph of Denver, Colorado, Jason Ellis of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Greg Lemley and wife Kalli of Hampton, Virginia, Samuel Macon and Keith Macon both of Austin, Texas. Great-grandchildren Cheyanne Randolph, Dustin Delay, Robert Delay, Lauren Lucero, Lilli Lucero, Lindzy Lucero, Gilbert Lucero IV all of Roswell, New Mexico, Jayden Datcher of Allen, Texas, Alyssa-Jo Lemley and Ryker Lemley of Hampton, Virginia, Caleb Samland and Laila Samland of Colorado Springs, Colorado, two brothers Bill Browning of Scottsdale, Arizona and Donnie Browning and wife Kim of Casper, Wyoming.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren Joe Randolph, Greg Lemley, Samuel Macon, Dustin Delay, Robert Delay, Gilbert Lucero IV, and Cheyanne Randolph.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to Highland Baptist Church 2001 S. Lea Ave, Roswell, NM 88203; or Gentiva Hospice of Roswell, 400 N. Pennsylvania Ave #500, Roswell, NM 88201.

Visitation

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 South Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Sunday, November 20, 2016
1PM to 5PM

Service

Funeral Service

Highland Baptist Church
2001 S. Lea Ave.
Roswell, NM  88203
Monday, November 21, 2016
2PM

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

Gentiva Hospice
400 N. Pennsylvania Ave. suite 500
Roswell, NM  88201

Highland Baptist Church
2001 S Lea Ave
Roswell, NM  88203