Ricky L Papoff born August 19, 1947, in Bakersfield, California son to John and Betty Papoff, brother to Sandy and Cheryl; passed away in his home in Arriola, Colorado July 7th 2026 at the age of 78. 

The family moved from Bakersfield to Blanding, Utah were he went to school until around the 5th grade. Rick then moved to Arriola to live with his grandparents Veron and Della Young and attended school in Arriola were he meet his future wife Beverly Likes. Rick then moved to Farmington, New Mexico where he graduated high school an won a state title in gymnastics and a scholarship, all the time keeping in touch with Bev. Rick went to college in Salt Lake City, Utah for architecture, he came back to Farmington and ask Beverly to be his wife they were married April 30th 1967. Rick was then deployed to Vietnam with the Navy on the U.S.S. Reeves where he served for 2 years with many interesting stories, he was not shy on sharing. 

When Rick came home from Vietnam a very pregnant Bev picked him up from the airport in a 1969 emerald green Jaguar and was a bit disappointed when she turned to the dealership to return said car and pick up their own. Rick and Bev lived in Farmington where he worked as lineman for the city of Farmington and where their children Kevin and Kim were brought home to. They moved back to Arriola in 1975, he and Bev with help from family and friends built the house they spent over 50 years in together. Rick went to work with Empire Electric as a lineman then later as a dispatcher. He liked to hunt, fish, and camp with Kevin and the family as long as he could shower in the camper. Rick taught Kevin while learning himself how to trap and sell furs with their fur bearers licenses. There were many hunting trips in the old 1947 Willy's Jeep and just as many thermoses of coffee. 

When Kim was a freshman he found a new hobby hauling her and her horse all over the state rodeoing. He made many friends and helped a lot behind the chutes from pulling cinches to bull ropes when he was not helping lead in Kim this became a second family for him and Bev. He and Bev made the most of their weekends when he was not working and filled them with drives in the mountains or going fishing. Rick enjoyed watching his grandchildren Trisha, Stetson, Jace, Tel, Gage and Kiffanie in whatever sport they were into at the time rodeo, archery, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, cheer. Rick spent countless weekends spending the day with his kids and grandkids riding four wheelers in the mountains or "tootling" as he called it laughing at Jace and Stetson on their little four wheelers and their bobble heads, and had the biggest laugh when Trisha tried to play off her wrecking her four wheeler from driving too fast and over correcting to "holy cow did you see that elk? It almost ran me over; I had to swerve to miss it." Of course he made sure she was ok through the laughter.

Rick is proceeded in death by his parents Johnny and Betty Papoff, Sisters Sandy and Husband Gayle (Smokey) Aulston, and Cheryl Johnson, and husband Jimmy Duran, Wife Beverly Papoff, and Grandson Wyatt James Papoff

Rick is survived by his son Kevin and wife Stephanie, daughter Kim Hamilton husband Rusty. Grand Children Trisha Papoff, Stetson Hamilton and wife Mary, Jace Papoff, Tel Hamilton and wife Skyla, Gage Papoff; Great grandchildren Hazel Bower and 2 more to make their debut in October and January. As well as nieces, nephews, and friends.

"Be careful and watch the deer "

Please post your favorite pic of Rick in the comments