Richard Garlets

Richard "Dick" Garlets, Sr. of Odessa, Texas and Howe, Indiana passed from this world to the next on December 5, 2018.

Visitation will be from 2-4p.m. on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at Sunset Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1p.m. on Monday, December 10, 2018 at Sunset Memorial Gardens Chapel with his son Patrick John Flores officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, and arrangements are by Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.

A lifelong entrepreneur and outdoorsman, Richard was born in Sturgis, Michigan on May 27, 1947 to Richard Lloyd Garlets and Doris Eleanor Fair. Richard, who
preferred to be called Dick by all who knew him and all who didn't, followed the oil to Texas in the 70's and worked for Martin Decker doing various things including working offshore. He then moved to Odessa where he started Dick's Oilfield Instruments in 1984 along with various other ventures, including Dick's Place in 1996. Though Dick wasn't the most "book" educated man, he used his gifts of gab and charm to go quite the distance.

There were many things that Dick liked to do and among them were hunting, fishing, racing, (which he had a top alcohol IHRA dragster), partying, and being the life of the party. He was a Deputy Sheriff for a short time and did a stint with the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Dept. There are many people who will remember him for his antics, jokes, cowboy hat, and loudness. There was never a person he met that he couldn't make laugh and couldn't piss off. He lived life to the fullest with his faithful rat terrier Atticus by his side for almost 20 years who will be laid to rest with him as well.

Dick is preceded in death by his mother and father, Doris and Richard Lloyd Garlets of Cadillac, Michigan and his wife Amalia Flores of Odessa, Texas as well as many aunts and uncles and various other relatives.

He is survived by his son Patrick John Flores and daughter-in-law Kilah Jae Flores, grandchildren Timothy Bo Patrick Flores, and Tate Josiah Flores, all of Andrews; son Bryan Hitchcock of Odessa and grandson Jeremy Rinehart of Midland; son Richard Garlets Jr, and daughter-in-law Beverly Bell Garlets of Artesia, New Mexico, grandsons Ian Lee Garlets, Richard Drake Garlets, Skyler Chavez, Kaliegh Wizel, Ashley Valliw, and Haley Sylvester; daughter Elizabeth Flores, her partner Crystal Garza and their son Maddox Garza of Odessa; son Darrin Hitchcock and Cindy Hitchcock of Odessa and their daughter Krystle Martinez of Odessa; son Todd Hitchcock and Tammy Hitchcock of Odessa; Aunt Dorothy Morris and Uncle Dick Morris of Howe, Indiana; brother Terry Garlets and Peggy Garlets of Cadillac, Michigan and nephews Doug, Terry, and Jeff as well as niece Tammy Watson.

Though we are sad at his passing, we know that he is "having a large time", wherever he is. He will be missed.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Sunday, December 9, 2018
2:00-4:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Sunset Funeral Home Chapel
6801 East Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Monday, December 10, 2018
1:00 PM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762