Fred Kelly Ricker's Obituary
Fred Kelly Ricker, born July 24, 1927 in Richardsville, VA departed this life on Friday, August 11, 2017, age 90, in the same residence in which he was born.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred H. Ricker and Annie L. Ricker. He was also preceded in death by his many dogs who to him were his children that he loved dearly.
Fred attended Culpeper County schools and at the age of 18 joined the United States Army where he would spend the next 30 years attaining the rank of 1st Sergeant. During his Army career he was stationed in many different areas of the world. He also served his country proudly during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He spent most of his Army career in the artillery field. He retired in 1975.
He carried the title of unofficial mayor of Richardsville and although he had traveled the world, there was no place like home to him. There he enjoyed his friends, his dogs and the Rapidan and Rappahannock rivers where he spent many hours. Fred was a local historian and loved and knew a lot of the history of the Richardsville area of Culpeper County. He made several trips on the rivers with groups from the Smithsonian Institute to include Sandra Day O’Connor.
Except for his years in the Army, Fred spent his entire life in the community he loved, Richardsville. There he helped with many events for his local Fire and Rescue Co. and his church. One of his main missions in life was to instill the Pride of Country and Community in everyone he met.
He is survived by one aunt, Francis Martin of MD; and numerous cousins.
A funeral service, with military honors, will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 12 p.m. at Richardsville United Methodist Church, 29235 Richards Ferry Rd., Richardsville, VA with Rev. Stan Mulford and Rev. Mike Evans officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made out to ACS (Relay for Life H&R Hearts Team),
c/o Rita Martin, 20613 White Rock Drive, Richardsville, VA 22736
We would like to express our sincere thanks to his caregivers from Home Instead and Heartland Hospice. They provided him with tender loving care in his last days. We also want to think the nurses and doctors of Culpeper Hospital for the special care he received there.
An online guestbook and tribute wall are available at www.foundandsons.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
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