John "Ric" Richard Alford II

John Richard Alford II, ‘Ric’ passed away peacefully May 23, 2025, with his family by his side. He was 69 years old and had been a resident of Montrose since 1994. He was a Land Steward in high country restoring it to natural grass lands for grazing, retiring in 2013.

He was born in Fort Gordon, Georgia on February 14,1956, the son of Edgar Lee Alford and Elise Mae (Hilton) Alford. Ric graduated from Prince George High School in Prince George, Virginia in 1973. Joined the US Navy, San Diego, California in 1974. Received an Honorable Discharge 1975.

In 1978 he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations (Magna Cum Laude) from Georgetown University in Washington, District of Columbia.

Ric meet his wife, Teri Lynn McClemans in 1984 and married 1987, Newport Beach, California before moving to Laguna Hills, California.

He enjoyed spending time with his family fishing and boating on vacations to Lake Powell. He had a passion for the arts and enjoyed painting murals. His favorite was painting the interior of the Egyptian Westwood Theatre in Los Angeles, California in 1984.

Ric was one of the first Veterans to receive and test the Ottobock Computer prosthetic (leg) for the Veterans returning from Iraq in 2002. He assisted prosthetists to obtain their certification to service and maintain the computer legs for the Veterans around the country.

Ric is survived by his wife, Teri, of Montrose, daughter Ariel (Alford) Buchanan, son-in-law, Arin and two grandchildren, Agnus and Angus Buchanan of Montrose, as well as his extended family in Montrose, and Washington. Half-brother, Lee Alford of West Virginia, half-sister, Terri Gusley from N.C. and many nieces and nephews. Ric was tagged as the fun one in the family and will truly be missed.

A Celebration of Ric’s Life will be held at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel, 802 East Main Street, Montrose, CO 81401, on Friday, June 6th, 2025, at 1pm.