Bobby Carrica

Bob (Bobby) Carrica, 88, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2021 at the Spanish Peaks Veterans Community Living Center in Walsenburg, CO. Bob was born July 14, 1933 in La Junta, Colorado to Pierre and Clara (Etcheverry) Carrica.

Bob was a graduate of La Junta High School and served in the US Army Mountain Warfare and Cold Weather Operations Division stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. Upon his discharge from the Army Bob returned home with his new bride Maxie Lu Payne to ranch in the Higbee area on the family homestead ranch for several years.

In 1961 in addition to ranching and a small farm, Bob and Maxie Lu purchased the Culligan Water Conditioning business which they operated in Otero, Bent and Crowley Counties until their retirement in 2014. His passions in life were their business, ranching and racehorses. He was active in the community having served as a 4-H Club leader, Early Settlers Day Committee and Fiddlers’ Contest Chairperson, Arkansas Valley Fair board and president two years, and was a member of the Ace of Spades Riding and Roping Club which he helped to build the clubhouse that is now the Cowboy Church. He has been a member of the Elks Lodge No. 701, La Junta Rotary Club, La Junta Quarterback Club.

He is survived by his loving family, his wife of 66 years, Maxie Lu and their five children, Pete (Patty) Carrica of Calhan, CO; Debbie (Craig) Phillips of Cheraw, CO; Larry Carrica of Colorado Springs, CO; Randy Carrica and Brenda DeLaRiva of La Junta; grandchildren, Amy Carrica, Michelle Carrica, Jennifer (Kevin) Phillips-Sandoval, Brandon (BrennaVee) Phillips, Jessica Phillips, Brady (Tori) Phillips, Janae Phillips, Darcee (Alan) Espinoza, Deidra (John Riley) DeLaRiva-Riley and great-grandchildren, Wesley Carrica, Kayla (Marcos Trujillo) Sandoval, Jon Phillips, Addilinn Gauna-Phillips, Ryker Comparoni, Nikolai, LoriAna, AloraLee, KrisaLynn, AvaLeah, Zachariah and Zorian Phillips and Brax, Emraella and Jhett Espinoza; sisters, Alice McMecken and Beverly (Keith) Lusk. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, John and Joe Sr. Carrica, sisters, Mary Blakney, Gabrielle Lennon, Catherine Snow, Simone Shoemaker, Margaret Crosley, and Shirley Hartless.

Graveside service will be Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Calvary Cemetery in La Junta.

In lieu of flowers and gifts please make donations to the Otero County 4-H or any veteran’s organization in his memory.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.