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JOSEPH Funeral Mass for the Honorable Judge Joseph Rich, 77, of Rio Rancho, NM was held on Thursday, August 30, 2007, 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart cathedral in Gallup, NM. The Very Rev. Lawrence O'Keefe will be the Celebrant. Burial took place on Friday, August 31, 2007, 1:30 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. A Rosary was recited on Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Judge Rich was born on June 8, 1930 and passed away on August 26, 2007 in Rio Rancho, NM. Judge Rich retired from the Bench in 2006. Rich graduated in 1952 from Eastern Kentucky University and later served in the U.S. Army, 25th Division, in Korea. In 1957, he earned a law degree from the University of Cincinnati Law School and was admitted to the Ohio Bar and the Kentucky and New Mexico Bars soon thereafter. He took a brief break from his legal studies and worked as special agent for the FBI in Albuquerque, Hobbs, Farmington and Gallup from 1957 to 1960. But his career with the FBI ended when the agency asked him to leave the area for Chicago. Rich was then married to his late wife, Barbara and was expecting their first child and didn't want to uproot his family. In subsequent years, Rich worked as an assistant district attorney in San Juan and McKinley Counties and opened a private practice in 1975. In 1982, he became the southwest regional chief trial attorney for the risk management division of the Navajo Nation. Rich was then appointed as a McKinley County district judge on October 1, 1988 and was re-elected in November 1990 and 1996. He retired on July 1, 2006. His community involvement includes past stints as Director of both the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce and the McKinley County Red Cross, and as President of the McKinley County Bar Association. Judge Rich received his undergraduate degree from Eastern Kentucky University and his law degree from the University of Cincinnati. He is survived by his children: Lauren Rich of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Joseph Rich, Jr. of Farmington, NM, Amy Rich of Albuquerque, NM, Paula Rich Pruitt of Albuquerque, NM and Stephen Rich of Albuquerque, NM; brother: Stephen Rich of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren: Therese Rich of Phoenix, AZ, Joseph Angelo Rich of Farmington, NM, Emily Rich of Farmington, NM, Isabella Rich of Farmington, NM, Chole Pruitt of Albuquerque, NM, Thomas Pruitt, Jr. of Albuquerque, NM, and Cheyanne Rich of Albuquerque, NM. He was preceded in death by his wife: Barbara DePauli Rich on August 28, 2001; brothers: Keith Rich and James Allen "Babe" Rich; parents. Pallbearers were Louis and Michael DePauli, Vincent, Guy and Gary Marsh, Tim Adcock, Marc DePauli and Joseph Angelo Rich. Honorary pallbearers were his brother, Stephen Rich, Edward DePauli, Weldon Adcock, Thomas Pruitt, Ron Petranovich, Gary and James Rich. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Little Sisters of the Poor, 1900 Mark Ave., Gallup, NM 87301 or Gallup Catholic School Foundation, 405 Park Ave. Gallup, NM 87301. Compassion Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Go to www.compassionmortuary.com to send condolences.
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