Richard Abie Tanguma

Richard (Rick) Abie Tanguma, 64, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Wednesday August 31st, 2022, after a second battle with cancer. Rick was born on July 5th, 1958 in Denver, Colorado. He was married to Lynn Tanguma, for 45 years, and was the youngest of 11 children born to Diamantina Hay (Sanchez), and Abelardo Tanguma.

At a young age, Rick fell in love with the game of tennis at Berkley Park in North Denver. This led to him graduating college, from Grand Canyon University, on a full tennis scholarship. Rick played Singles and Doubles for his college tennis team 1985, 1986 and 1987.

His love of tennis and competition permeated his life and led to life long friendships and purpose. This included privately coaching high level tennis players, and being head coach of Arvada West High School’s Men’s Tennis team for the last 10 years. Rick was awarded Jefferson County Tennis Coach of the year in 2021. While coaching at Arvada West he inspired, motivated, and shared his passion with hundreds of young players, including his youngest son Jadon Tanguma, his grandson Josiah, and granddaughter Lucia.

Rick was a sales rep for various companies, including Babolot, Diadora, Pro Kennex, and many other products in the trucking businesses early in his career. The later part of his career, Rick started and ran OZ77, an affordable eyewear distribution company. He chose the name OZ77 as tribute to an Israeli tanking brigade, and because he had a passion of faith, to support Israel and its Biblical importance to his Christian faith.

Rick is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lynn Tanguma, his two sons, Jeremy Tanguma and Jadon Tanguma; his 2 daughters-in-law, Jessie Tanguma, and McKensey (Struzik) Tanguma, and his 3 grandchildren Josiah Tanguma, Lucia Tanguma, and Hazel Tanguma from Jeremy and Jessie. As well as siblings Eliud (Al) Tanguma, Evangeline (Eve) Parton, Ermelindo (Mel) Tanguma, Edna Romero, Annie Garcia, Elaine Shoemaker, Samuel Tanguma and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his mother, Diamantina Sanchez Hay, his father Abelardo E. Tanguma and siblings Eddie Tanguma and Enrique (Henry) Tanguma.

Rick’s legacy will live on through memories, his echoing zeal for intensity and self belief, in stories we all share, but mostly the family, friends, students and faith he left deeply rooted behind. Our world was better for knowing him, we will miss him dearly but he is now where he belongs, with his Lord and Savior, and the rest of our family.