Anthony "Ric" Clinger Jr.

Anthony Richard “Ric” Clinger Jr., loving father, friend, and former sheriff’s deputy, died unexpectedly on Sept. 13 in Brandon, Fla. He was 60 and had battled Parkinson’s disease for the last 12 years.

Ric dedicated his life to his two children, Austin and Jenna, as well as his community. He retired from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office after 28 years of service in 2012. For 15 of those years, he worked alongside Hillsborough County Public Schools, teaching students about crime prevention — a job he heralded as his favorite. On top of his responsibilities as a deputy, Ric was an avid philanthropist. The sheriff’s office recognized him as a top fundraiser for Relay for Life, and he hosted golf tournaments benefiting various charities, including the American Cancer Society, Special Olympics, and St. Jude, during the early 2000s.

After he retired, Ric became a day trader, managed properties in the Brandon area, and volunteered at Buckhorn Springs Golf & Country Club. Ric was a scratch golfer and spent many hours honing his craft (some would say too many). In fact, some of Austin and Jenna’s fondest childhood memories were formed on a golf course — they looked forward to riding around in a cart and trying to beat their dad in putting competitions.

Ric’s family remembers him as larger than life — someone who commanded a room and never missed an opportunity to make light of a situation. If he didn’t know something, he’d buy a book or watch a movie to learn more about it, share his findings with Austin and Jenna, and then quiz them. He loved dissecting Taylor Swift lyrics with Jenna and analyzing golf shots with Austin on the way home from the course. He taught them that life was fleeting — a never-ending learning opportunity. “Take pictures with your eyes,” he’d always say, reminding them to cherish moments, no matter how small.

In addition to his son Austin (and his wife, Lidia Clinger) and his daughter, Jenna, Ric is survived by his father, Anthony R. Clinger Sr., sister, Stacia Clinger Marlin (and her husband, Dan Marlin), brother, John David Clinger (and his wife, Rusti Clinger), many nieces and nephews, and his ex-wife, Tammy Lynch Clinger. He is predeceased by his mother, Sandra Clinger, who died in 2007.

In lieu of buying flowers, please donate to the American Parkinson Disease Association. Visit apdaparkinson.org or call 800-223-2732 to make a donation in Ric’s name.

The family would like you to share your favorite memory and/or photo of Ric here on his obituary page.