Richard “Rich” Neal Claflin, age 73, passed away peacefully at home on September 28, 2026. He was born in Trinidad, Colorado on January 28, 1953.
Richard, or “Mister Rich”, as he was affectionately known by the students he drove to school each day, loved serving his community. Throughout his life, he touched countless lives through his many roles as a school bus driver, convenience store manager, trolley driver and community tour guide, “Little Debbie man”, and restaurant manager at Bueno’s.
Rich was known for his quick wit and his love of giving everyone a hard time. Those who knew him understood that his teasing was simply his way of showing he cared. He loved cheering on his 49ers, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and coaching T-ball, where he enjoyed spending time with many of the community’s children.
Above all, Rich was a loving, hardworking, and generous man who would give the shirt off his back to help someone in need. He deeply loved his wife, Carolyn, from their first moments together to their last. He will be remembered for the love, laughter, kindness, and countless memories he shared with his family, friends, and community.
Preceding him in death are Mother Virginia “Ginger” Loucks, brothers Jack Claflin and Jerry Claflin, sister-in-law Bernadette “Bernie” Claflin, father-in-law Higinio Vigil, mother-in-law Nadine Vallejos, brothers-in-law Rudy Vigil, Donnie Vigil, and Anthony Vigil, niece Shelby Vigil, nephews JD Claflin and Gary Garcia.
Left to cherish his memory are wife Carolyn (Vigil) Claflin, daughter Azuredee Trujillo, son Wayne Trujillo, grandson Daniel Trujillo, brothers Burt Loucks and Bob (Tammi) Loucks, sisters Ginger (Pete) Kazmierkoski and Irene Robey (Mike), sisters-in-law Barbara (Paul) Dominguez, Yvonne (Joseph) Gallegos, Irene Vigil, Corrine Vigil, and Gloria Vigil, brother-in-law Gary Armendariz, and several nephews, nieces, and special friends.
Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Comi Chapel with Elder Oscar Valle officiating.
Family can be contacted at 1508 N. Linden Avenue, Trinidad, Colorado 81082.
Arrangements made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
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