Richard R. Vargas, 88, was born on Dec. 12, 1933 to Ysirdra Renteria and Elias Cabrera Vargas. He passed away on Oct. 31, 2022. He was a lifelong Miami Vandal. Richard “Dickie” Vargas was a sophomore member of the legendary 1951 Vandal basketball team. During his high school years, Dickie was a member of the varsity baseball, basketball, football and track teams.
Dickie graduated from Miami High School in 1953, and continued his education and athletic career at Palo Verde Community College (the Pirates) in Blythe, California. He was a walk-on for Northern Arizona University (Arizona State Teacher’s College) in Flagstaff , Arizona, where he was eventually named team captain and quarterbacked the Lumberjacks to the Frontier Conference Championship. He married Stella Flores while at NAU, where they had their first two children.
In 1960 Dickie accepted a teaching position at the Miami Unified School District, where he began 50 years of dedication to the students, the players, his fellow educators and parents of the community he loved.
Coach Vargas and his wife Stella raised seven children; Lenny (Clydene), Ken (Evelyn), Richard, James (Penny), Steve (Angela), Chris and daughter Cristi. He was preceded in death by his wife Stella, his son James, and grandsons Brandon and Peter. Coach Dickie Vargas leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Richard “Dickie” Vargas is also survived by his brothers Robert “Bobby,” Frank “Chico” and Larry, and his sisters Barbara Caretto and Ellie Vargas. His brother, David, preceded him.
Thank you all for loving and respecting our Dad and Grandpa Coach the way you did. We will miss his words of wisdom, his laugh, his knowledge of every sport and every player that ever existed, his sense of humor, his famous quotes, his dedication and especially his love. Two of his famous quotes were, “Be good in the neighborhood” and “God Bless the Vandals!”
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Miami High School Auditorium in Miami, Arizona.
Rosary will be held on Nov. 19, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Miami, Arizona.
Mass will be held on Nov. 19, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
Interment will be held at Pinal Cemetery following the services.
Reception will be held at the Miami High School Auditorium.
Assisting the family; Lamont Mortuary of Globe.
