RICHARD M. "BUTCH" VASQUEZ, 51, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, and formerly of Washta and Pierson, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2015 due to injuries received in a one vehicle accident in the Badlands National Park near Rapid City, South Dakota.

Richard was born on June 9, 1963 at Puyallup, Washington to Richard & Sharon (Spencer) Vasquez. He was raised in Cherokee County and attended school in Pierson and Marcus, Iowa. Growing up he had a passion for horses and was a member of Cherokee Cavaliers. His love for horses, developed into his professional jockey and horse training career. He held a world record of winning nine races in one day. He was married to Alani Kanoa and this marriage was blessed with two children Forrest and River. He was later married to Lisa Harrell and they were married for several years.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Forrest and Helen Spencer of Washta, Iowa, paternal grandparents, step-father George Kazos and uncle Jerry Spencer.

He is survived by his mother: Sharon Kazos of Sioux City, Iowa; two children Forrest and River Vasquez of Texas; several aunts and uncles including: Valeria (Charles) Rupp of Cherokee, Iowa; Mike (Joan) Spencer of Hubbard, Nebraska; John (Sharen) Spencer of Upton, Wyoming; Phil (Patricia) Spencer of Meriden, Iowa; step-brothers and step-sister: Aleko (Stacy) Kazos of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; Tanya (Layne) Schlemmer of Flower Mound, Texas; Solon (Elizabeth) Kazos of Thousand Oaks, California; also several cousins.

Visitation and time of sharing memories with the family will be held on Sunday, May 31st at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Following the visitation, burial of the cremation ashes will be in the Quimby Cemetery at Quimby, Iowa.