Ridley "Red" Lonsdale

Ridley Allen Lonsdale (Red)

Ridley was born in Belen New Mexico on September 22, 1958 to Eugene and Patsy Lonsdale. He passed from this life on March 8, 2025 at BSA Hospital in Amarillo Texas.

Ridley graduated from Belen High School in 1976.

As a teenager, he raised rabbits to sell. He participated in FFA in school. His first job in the community of Belen was working for Blake's Lotaburger as a fry cook at the age of 15 years, then he was asked to quit due to being under age. He waited until he was legal working age 16 years to start at the same place.

After high school, Ridely attended and graduated from Barber Collage in Lubbock Texas. He earned his first Barber License in 1979. He moved back to Farwell Texas to live with his parents and buy out the existing town barber shop. He ran Red's Barber Shop for close to 20 years. He was best known for always having a good joke, quick wit, and a bucket of bubble gum.

Overtime, through the years, he graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Master of Education, and earned enough credits over Master degree to obtain his New Mexico license for School Administration. He was very proud when he reached his level III teaching and administrative license.

He taught at Texico School District in Texico New Mexico, predominately as an elementary teacher for 17 years. He thoroughly enjoyed his students and was a very interactive hands-on teacher. He read the bible every morning to the students. He tossed a little football around with the students having each one state how wonderful they are. He always gave each student their own bible at Christmas time. He was a great encourager to all his students' potential.

Ridley raised cattle at the home for around 20 years. He really enjoyed feeding, watering, and watching the cattle out in the pasture.

Ridley was a Master Mason in good standing most recently of Hereford Lodge 849, Hereford Texas.

Ridley truly never met a stranger. He could talk to anyone about anything. He loved to joke and make people laugh as well as twist their tale so to speak. Most of all his love for Jesus was well known and he loved to talk about the bible. He read his own bible twice a day every day. One of his favorite bible verses was I can do all thing through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13. That particular verse is how he lived. There is comfort in knowing he was carried away in Jesus' loving arms and is no longer in any pain. He's gained his perfect beautiful heavenly body.

Preceding him in death is his father Eugene Lonsdale, nephew Shane Tyrel Stanley, and great niece Annie Kate Steiner. Additionally, all grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife, soulmate, and work buddy Gayla Lonsdale. His precious mother Patsy Lonsdale, of the home. His sister and brother-in-law Peggy and Kevin Stanley (Los Lunas, NM), brother and sister-in-law Max and Dondra Lonsdale (Yukon, OK), and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Steve and Cheryl Ballew (Albuquerque, NM).

Also, many nieces and nephews: Josh (Amanda) Stanley (Los Lunas, NM), Ashley (Ben) Rorabacher (Belen, NM), MaxAnne (Cy) Steiner (Yukon, OK), LaDon (Eric) Perales (Yukon, OK), and Tyler (Erin) Lonsdale (Tuttle, OK).

Great Nieces and Nephews: McKinzey, Bo, Titus, Kaden, and Ridley Stanley (Los Lunas, NM); Owen, Macy, and Luke Steiner (Yukon, OK); Evie, Ryker, and Audrey Perales (Yukon, OK); Avery, Harper, Banks, and Grady Lonsdale (Tuttle, OK).

He is survived by many cousins, as well.

Lastly, on Gayla's side of the family, Joel Ballew (Sioux Falls, SD), Tiffany (Travis) Bartausky, Rachel (Joshua) Singer (Mesa, AZ), and Abigail (Michael) Scollard (Grand Rapids, MI) between those four families there are 13 great nieces/nephews and 1 great great nephew.

Pallbearers: Josh Stanley, Tyler Lonsdale, Cy Steiner, Eric Perales, Bo Stanley and Titus Stanley.

Honorary Pallbearers: Max Lonsdale, Kevin Stanley, Owen Steiner, Kaden Stanley, Ridley (little Red) Stanley, Ryker Perales, Banks Lonsdale, Grady Lonsdale and all of Ridley's (Red) ex-students.

In honor of his memory, there will be a graveside service on Friday March 14, 2025 at 10:30 am Central Standard Time at the Sunset Terrace Memorial Cemetery located near Farwell on the Amarillo Highway (US 60) with Steve Ballew officiating.

A donation can be made to any charity of your choice.