He was a fixture on the field and on the court at so many ball games for over 40 years and his presence will be missed as he touched so many players with his banter.
He entertained the fans, frustrated the referees and had a mind for sports like no other. Henry “Sugar Bear” Tapia whose presence supported so many teams in so many ways like ringing the bell at Raton Tiger football games, he paced the court at basketball games for both Raton and Springer telling the coaches what to do next.
Coach Hunker Main spoke Saturday night between the girls and boys championship cowbell games during a small memorial service for Sugar Bear where two empty chairs sat at center court with a T-Shirt and Jersey on them to represent our missing #1 Fan. Coach Main said we are not going to have a moment of silence figuring that Sugar Bear wouldn’t have it that way since you couldn’t get him to shut up. Coach Main indicated that Sugar Bear was not one to complain that is why so many did not know he was even ill, nor did any one really know how bad it was. Sugar Bear was part of this community and it was the community that took care of Sugar Bear. Main asked how many people had given Sugar Bear a ride somewhere or helped him in some way. There were several that stood up. It is about community and that is why so many of us choose to live in rural northeastern New Mexico, Main added. It is that community that takes care of its own.
Sugar Bear’s passing Saturday morning will leave a big void at basketball games this season, Sugar Bear you will be missed.
