Sergeant First Class (SFC) Ricardo Chapa

SFC retired Ricardo “Riche” Chapa passed away on September 12, 2026. He was also referred to as Mr. C. or Mr. Rick.

Born on May 9, 1940, in San Diego, Texas to Lauro Chapa and Elodia Saenz, he grew up with four siblings, Frances (deceased), Olga, Miguel Angel, and Carmela. He attended San Diego High School where he exhibited a potential for writing poetry and essays and had a flair for drama. He was the town skating champion and often referred to himself as a pool room executive who morphed to a private in the army, who survived boot camp in Ft. Hood, Tx to grunt and drill instructor.

In the summer of 1962, Riche answered the call to serve and enlisted in the US Army and proudly attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was certified as a Communication Center Specialist in Fort Gordon, Georgia with top secret clearance. He served as a Drill instructor for five years in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and Ft. Polk. Louisianna. He completed several assignments and tours in Alaska, Vietnam, Germany, Korea, Louisiana, Missouri, Georgia, and Arizona.

During his distinguished service, SFC Chapa received numerous commendations including Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Expert Rifle, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. The Army Commendation Medal was proof of his high degree of excellence, attained by winning the USACC “The Most Improved Communication Center of the Year 1981 Award for the Pacific.” Captain Denise R. McGann. He served for 20 years.

After completing military service, he pursued and attained a degree in Business from CCSU, now TAMUCC. In between studying he worked for the Corpus Christi Caller, Digital and Sears. He was a regular contributor and “haymaker” to the Corpus Christi Caller and Alice Echo letters to the editor. He published several poems including Ode to the Unborn which was instrumental in his trip to Wichita, Kansas to participate in the historic 1991 “Summer of Mercy” prolife rally. Riche, during his early years, enjoyed fishing with family while stationed in Louisianna. The fishing expedition is remembered by Sylvia’s improvised lifeguard, a rope around her waist tied to her dad’s belt and the twins’ (his “best friends”) tantrums when one gets luckier than the other. And Nora, the baby, stayed away from the water.

He was the ultimate Scrabble champ until he coached an understudy, his wife and private nurse, Elvie, who was a fast learner and anticipated his every move and strategy. He flew to Las Vegas often to shoot dice and play at the poker table.

Two life-changing events altered the course of Rick’s journey: a myocardial infarction in 2009 and a diagnosis of Malignant Carcinoma of the head of the pancreas in March of 2015.

Riche is proceeded in death by his parents, Lauro and Elodia Chapa; his sister, Frances Chapa Tamez; and brother-in-law, Rufino Sanchez.

Riche is survived by his faithful, devoted, and loving wife, Elvira De Torres-Chapa; his children, Sylvia (Paul) Madewell, Ricky (Mika) Chapa, Roy Chapa, and Nora Chapa; his siblings, Carmen Sanchez, Olga Rodriguez, Miguel Angel Chapa; his grandchildren, Suzette, Javier Daniel, Gabriel, Hito, Richie, Heather, Eric, Sonia, Tim and Matthew; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

Ricardo’s family will receive condolences on Monday, September 21, 2026, at Treviño Funeral Home Alice, 120 E. Front St, from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM, with the Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. A funeral cortege will depart the funeral home at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, for Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 10:30 AM. Rite of Committal and interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, 9974 IH 37, Corpus Christi, TX, at 1:00 PM where Ricardo will be laid to rest in the peace of Christ.

Honoring Riche as pallbearers are Roy Chapa, Ricky Chapa, Javier “JD” Solis, Ricardo “Hito” Chapa, Eric Chapa, and Tim “Timmy” Homan. Honorary pallbearers are Gabriel Solis, Matthew Holman, and Richie Chapa.

To leave your condolences for the family of Ricardo “Riche” Chapa, share your memories, or visit his tribute wall, please go to www.trevinofuneralhome.net