Richard Patrick Farwell

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Richard Patrick Farwell went home to his Lord and Savior.

Richard was born to William R. and Shirley J. Farwell on December 16, 1964 on a cold, snowy day in the mining town of Butte, Montana. Richard was the fourth child out of five and was the second son born to the Farwell family.

In the fall of 1974, when Richard was ten years old, he and his family moved to the small mining town of Grants, New Mexico. Richard and his family stayed in Grants for four years before returning to Butte, Montana in 1978. Richard finished his high school years at Butte High School, where he was an avid athlete, playing both basketball and football. Richard graduated from Butte High with great academic standings. In the late 1990’s Richard moved to Los Lunas, New Mexico with his family and attended the University of New Mexico - Valencia Campus. Richard graduated with two associate degrees: Human Services and General Studies.

At UNM Valencia he met the love of his life Janell L Peña, who worked in the tutorial center. Richard, being a very shy, young man, went to classes religiously every day and walked past the woman he fell in love with at first sight, before getting the courage to ask her out. Richard and Janell were married on a frigid, snowy day at Holy Trinity Parish, on March 16th, 1991, and enjoyed thirty-four wonderful years of laughter, memories, and happiness. Richard and Janell welcomed two children into their world of happiness, Catherine S. Farwell and Andrew James De la Peña. Richard was a devoted family man whose core belief was that family came before anything else. Richard enjoyed teaching, telling stories, and spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and family. He enjoyed going on long road trips, viewing wildlife, and fishing. When he was not devoting his life to his family, Richard was a faithful Catholic who read the bible and prayed throughout the day, every day. Richard held the highest belief that blood didn't make you family but love, and that is why he was loved by many and will always be remembered.

Richard is preceded in death by his father, William R Farwell and his mother, Shirley J Farwell; his sister, Elizabeth A Farwell; his grandparents John and Margaret Lutz; and his niece Kaitlyn Farwell. Richard is survived by his beloved wife Janell Peña-Farwell; their children Catherine S. Farwell and Andrew James Encino De La Peña (Crystal); sister Dorothy Brown (Art ); brother Timothy Farwell (Shawna); father/mother-in-law, Arturo Peña and Edna Peña; his sister-in-law Michelle Peña-Griego (Anthony), brother-in-law Randall Peña (Angelica) and brother-in-law Jim Peña and adopted daughter Michelle Trujillo, as well as, many nephews, nieces, cousins, tías, and tíos. Richard was an extremely proud and loving Grandpapa to Ezeryah Vasquez and Kassandra Vigil.

Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, December 16th, 6:00pm in the Evergreen Chapel at DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. Mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Trinity Parish at 10:00am on Wednesday, December 17th, burial to follow at the Arroyo Seco Cemetery. A meal in Richard’s honor will take place after the burial at Holy Trinity Parish Hall. If anyone would like to make any contributions to Richard’s Funeral, please reach out to the family.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be, Andrew Moreno, Samuel Moreno, Jim Peña, Ston Quaglia, TJ Farwell, Michael Brown, and Randall Peña.

The family of Richard Patrick Farwell has entrusted the care of their loved one to the caring staff of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. 866-657-4019 www.devargastaos.com