Vigil Services will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday, November 12th at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 13th by Fr. Jason Pettigrew. Arrangements are under the direction of Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, New Mexico.
Paul Richard Arguello, also known as “PR” and “Rway-o” was born on January 26, 1961, in Clayton, New Mexico to Mary E. (Sintas) Arguello and Samuel Ernest “Sam” Arguello. Growing up in Clayton PR graduated from Clayton High School in 1979 where he was very involved in band and journalism. PR was very much liked by his classmates. His close friends knew him well and would remain friends until the end. His first job was working at the Eklund Hotel as a busboy where it was said he quit that job because he broke an ashtray. He also worked for the Nu-Way Café as a waiter. After graduating, he enlisted in the US Army and served for four and a half years. His career in the Army was in medical maintenance. He was responsible for maintaining hospital equipment. This would send him to many destinations fixing and installing dental equipment. This is where the name PR originated from fellow servicemen would ask him. What does PR stand for? With a serious face, he would say “Preston Reginald”. They would look at him with a perplexed look and he would smile and bust out laughing. After his military service, he moved to Dallas-Fort Worth and would put his artistic skills to work making murals for semi-trucks and painting classic cars, a passion he always had which would benefit him later in years. He did many art projects for the Southwest Blues. This is where he would put his musical talents to work playing in blues bands with famous and non-famous blues artists. While in Dallas he met Debra. They moved to Oklahoma City where his children were born. His children were his pride and joy and now will be his legacy. In 1999 he moved back to Clayton where he continued to call home the rest of his life. A lifelong artist and jack of all trades, mostly known as a computer graphic artist. Richard shared his talents and love of the arts and creativity with all those around him through his harmonica playing, graphic design, fine art, and love of cars, (classic or not). Richard never met a stranger and loved to swap stories. He started a career in politics which would take him to many meetings and legislative sessions. He made many connections in the legislative branches of our government. He was passionate about making a difference in his community and County. PR was elected to Country Commissioner and served as Chairman. He alongside electors and community support helped spearhead the development of North-Eastern New Mexico during the Former Governor Bill Richardson’s administration. He served as interim director of The Eastern Plains Council of Governments (EPCOG) which is a voluntary association of local governments to establish a federally recognized economic development and planning district. He was heavily involved with the Ports to Plains. PR served as Executive Director of the Union County Community Development Corporation Economic development ‘an organization that promotes economic development by recruiting new businesses. Other organizations include the Rotary Club, Fishing Derby, Viva New Mexico, Clayton Union County Chamber of Commerce, Clayton Main Street, Clayton Arts Festival, the Knight of Columbus, He served as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Union County, and was involved in the Northeast Regional Planning Organization, PR was an artist for the Southwest Blues Magazine and was a lifelong member of the VFW Post 3271 in Clayton. He had a talent for the arts and would put some of his talents working with Frankie Aragon painting and detailing cars. He loved this so much he decided to try his talents on his friend David Barreras’ mother Lillie’s vehicle painting rainbows all over her 1965 Valiant. Lillie was shocked but knew “Richard” walked to a different drumbeat. His computer graphics was his business and passion. He made many t-shirts, trophies, business signs, and large murals for different types of businesses. Even though this is how he made a living he would do many projects pro-bono because that was PR because he had a generous spirit. If you look around town you will see his very talented artwork. He always had a strong faith in God. He was the type of soul who would give the shirt off his back if asked. He was kind, caring, funny, and always had a huge smile on his face. PR loved so many people and touched so many lives he will be forever missed. His love of his hometown is what drove him to do as much good as he could for Clayton and all his family and friends. PR was preceded in death by his brother David T. Arguello, his mother and father, and his grandparents; Mr. and Mrs. Eduardo Sintas and Mr. and Mrs. Alex Vallejos.
SURVIVORS:
2 DAUGHTERS: Melody Arguello and her husband Cody Chambers of Seguin, Texas and Erin Arguello and her husband Kyle Paul of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
1 SON: Alex Arguello of Seguin, Texas.
1 Grandson: Calvin Vestel Chambers of Seguin, Texas.
1 SISTER: Olivia Arguello of Amarillo, Texas.
And his significant other Karen Bray of Clayton, New Mexico.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to covid research.
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