Claudio “Papa” Andrade

Claudio Andrade, 70, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, was called to his eternal resting place on April 4, 2022. He entered this world on November 4, 1951 in Alton, IL, born to Peat and Vera Dickerson. He is survived by his wife Kay Lyn Chappell; daughters Melissa Gonzalez and Jennifer Dickerson; grandchildren William Gonzalez, Sincere Gonzalez, Danielle Baum, Auria Green Baum, Patrick Flanagan, Brian Carl Forbes, and Alexis Forbes; great-grandchild Jesean, Ashaud, Landon, Tristan Mikael, and Patrick; siblings Jessie Highfill, Patty Dickerson and Connie (Peacock) Dickerson.

 

Claudio lived in Alton, IL as a child and his favorite memories were riding his horse to school and his pet monkey, Charlie, who rode a bicycle. He also loved riding motorcycles and flat track mini cars. He and his siblings had a pony-cart track and would race there too. He loved dressing up to dance in the Pow wows and the whole family participated. one of his first jobs was green breaking the new bucking bronchos for Laudio Balaco. He and his dad, and brother, both named Peat, loved old classic and muscle cars and they had a double-decker garage filled with them. He and his father also built the family home.

 

As an adult, he loved to travel and lived in several cities, including Chicago, IL, Houston, TX and Atlanta, GA. He would take a car and drive coast to coast just to see the countryside.

 

Claudio and Kay Lyn met in Columbia, MO, in 2002 and he returned in 2010 to sweep her off her feet. He LOVED fishing in Columbia, the two ponds they had were full of trout and sunfish. The horses ran in a field with 2-foot-high grass. They traveled to many places, including his home around St. Louis, MO. Their favorite trip was to the river in Chautauqua, IL and saw the eagles flying low that day and eating fresh fish sandwiches in Grafton. Their mini ranch had an old red barn that he painted in one week. He had a golf cart to get around the 3-acre front yard with the 100-year-old Silver Oak tree.

 

The couple moved to Roswell in February of 2011. Claudio particularly fell in love with the sunrises, sunsets, and the mountains of NM. His favorite pic was his hybrid wolf-dogs Spirit Wandering Boy, Dakota, Zuni, Arrow, and Ranger, and in the background, the Sierra Blanca mountains with that burning sunset. His other favorite pic was him and his cat, Tomasito. Favorite vacations were the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow and Balloon Festival. They rode the tram in Albuquerque, and the train in Chama. Visited the reservation at Window Rock. His favorite saying was "I love my ranch life". He loved riding his horses and could do it bareback and no bridle. He enjoyed his friends at Variety as well as his ranch hands and the younger generation that came out to hang around. He was truly loved by all liked by most and will be forever missed.

 

Claudio is preceded in death by his parents Peat and Vera Dickerson and siblings Peat Dickerson, Peggy Stromski, Lucy Betts and Donna Dickerson.

 

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 6:00 pm, Thursday, April 14, 2022 at Ballard Funeral Home with services to follow at 6:30 pm. Chaplain Timothy Arlet will officiate.

 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory.  An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com.