Richard I. "Dick" Ledbetter

Richard ""Dick"" I. Ledbetter, 79, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, due to complications from Parkinson's disease. Dick was born to Robert and Allie Ledbetter on March 4, 1937, in Tipton, Okla. He spent his childhood in Mo. and Eastern N.M. In 1953 his family moved to Gallup and then later to Farmington where he graduated from high school in 1955. In 1959 he married Laura Lee Moore of Durango, Colo. They spent their 58 years of marriage living in Farmington.
Dick attended Fort Lewis College, the University of New Mexico and earned his degree in banking from the Colorado Graduate School of Banking. He served his country in the Army Reserves from 1959-1964.
He began his career in banking at First National Bank of Farmington in 1958 and worked his way through the ranks to become President and CEO of First National Bank, eventually becoming one of the most respected bankers in the Southwest. From 1998 - 2000 he was Chairman and CEO of First Place Financial Corporation, a four bank holding company which included banks in Farmington, Gallup, Durango and Albuquerque. He served as president of the New Mexico Bankers Association as well as the Independent Bankers Association. From 1992 - 1998 he served on the Board of the Denver Branch of the Federal Reserve Board of Kansas City.
Dick loved the community of San Juan County and gave back in many ways. He served as President of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce. In 1998, Dick was named Farmington Citizen of the Year. He was a member of The Rotary Club of Farmington and a Paul Harris Fellow. He served as Campaign Chairman of the San Juan United Way. Dick was a longtime supporter, board member and president of the San Juan College Foundation. He was passionate about its mission of providing scholarships to students and raising funds to support the college. He served on many other community boards including the San Juan County Fair, Farmington Boys and Girls Club and the Farmington Amateur Baseball Association. In 2003 he was appointed to the New Mexico State Commission on Higher Education. Dick was an active member of the New Mexico Amigos. He and his wife Laura were members of St John's Episcopal Church for many years and more recently, members of Christ Church.
In addition to his banking career and his involvement in the community, Dick enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren often while skiing, golfing, gardening and dancing. He shared his love of life with everyone he met. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Dick is survived by his wife, Laura; brother, Charles and sisters, Dorothy and Pat; sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Jennifer Ledbetter, Kelly and Ivy Ledbetter; daughter and son-in-law, Holly and Don Weinkauf and grandchildren, Madeline Weinkauf, Richard Henry Ledbetter, Eli Weinkauf, Jacob Ledbetter, Roan Weinkauf and Kaleb Ledbetter.
The family is grateful to Dr. James Spence, Dr. Robert Burns and the nurses and staff at Cedar Ridge Inn for the amazing care they provided Dick over the past year.
Cremation will take place and a memorial service and celebration of life reception will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 at First United Methodist Church, 808 N. Monterey in Farmington with Father Karl Brenner officiating. Reception will follow at the San Juan Country Club, 5775 Country Club Drive in Farmington. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the San Juan College Foundation, 4601 College Blvd., Farmington, NM 87401 (www.sjcfoundation.org) or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Donation Processing, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 (www.michaeljfox.org) Dick's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688. Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at serenityandcompany.com.