RIP Ricky. You were KA #1 when I was a BSC freshman in 1957. Only had a year to know you, but enough time to know you were special.We were all fortunate to have a short time to share with you.A lot of lives were influenced by your time here. Bless you and your family!

Not enough words to describe this man.  He was my little league coach who taught me how to throw my first curve ball.  Every time I would see him he would remind me that he taught me how to pitch.  Always a smile on his face. Never saw him without  that smile.  He love his family and they are prime example of his spirit. He was one of the nicest human being you could have ever known. I will miss you Coach!!! RIP!!

Kenny Jackson

Sue and family, I am so sorry to hear of Ricky's passing. He was such a respected man. Not only by his peers, but his family members as well. Mary and Gary always thought so much of him and delighted in visiting with him. God will see you through this sad time and eventually beautiful memories will return!

Sorry to hear of Dr. McBride's passing. I will miss seeing him in the hall. He was always friendly to my mother, Claire Ball.

Coach McBride was someone we always admired, although we didn't have him as a teacher at Ensley High School in the early 1960s. Denise's family knew the McBrides and thought the world of all of them. He always had such a positive outlook, and the high schoolers at EHS looked up to him. So sorry to hear of your loss. Johnny and Denise McLellan Phillips

Rick McBride was a dedicated hardworking leader in the field of education
he cared about children and he made a difference in this state. He will be
missed. My Prayers go out to his family.

Rick and my relationship started as fraternity brothers and grew from there.  We bonded further because we both liked sports.  We threw ourselves into virtually every team that our fraternity entered into the intra-fraternal sports scene.  But his old green Ford was the catalyst of our social life.  It took us to the places two college guys wanted to be.  Then, it left us alone together for many hours, long enough to birth what is really underneath these words, this reflection. My friend, Rick McBride was a man of character and integrity.  Not for any particular reason but because.....that's who he was.

I was saddened to read of the passing of Dr. Richard McBride. I know he was an inspiration to many over the years. I was one of those individuals.
After graduation from Jacksonville State University with a BS in Secondary Education, I set about looking for a teaching position. One of the first schools I put my application in was Pleasant Grove High School. Dr. McBride was both the Principal and Superintendent of the school system. There wasn't a week that went by that I didn't stop off at the school and stick my head in the door to let Dr. McBride that I was still looking. He gave me the encouragement to keep up the good effort of pursuing a teaching position. 
Teachers had already had their two working days on Thursday and Friday, and I began thinking I may not get a job. However, on a Sunday evening around 10:30 I received a phone call from Dr. McBride, offering me a position on the faculty at PGHS. He also apologized for calling so late. I said, "Dr. McBride, you could have called me at 3am if you were offering me a job". The students were arriving the next day and I was there. So began my 36 year teaching career. I will forever be indebted to Dr. McBride for taking a chance on a young fellow in pursuit of his dream.
Attached is a picture taken from my first year book at PGHS, "Scroll" Volume I. This is how I remember Dr. McBride, a handsome man, athletic looking, and full of confidence. 
While many are sadden by Dr. McBride's passing, many will also have fond memories of how he touched their lives in a positive way. 
My condolences to his family, may they find peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Joe C. Lilly
PGHS 1971-73

"Uncle Rick" was what I called him. My earliest memories were of him waxing his white car with red interior at a nearby park a few houses down from his parents (my grandparents house) on the hill above five points west in about 1960. Later he bought me my first 'real' glove (a McGregor fist baseman's mitt). I loved to hear his stories about growing up in Ensley and his days at Bham Southern.  He inspired me to be involved in sports and to be a better student through his own educational pursuits.

Uncle Rick was very talented with a good voice blending with his dad Mac senior, his brother Marvin, his brother Don in singing for the family at times as a quartet.  His stories would keep me (his young nephew) in stitches for hours.  The stories of fraternity pranks and foibles were classics and revealing of a man who loved life and lived it fully, but respectfully of others.

Uncle Rick taught me how to throw a curve ball and field a grounder, but he also showed me, along with the rest of my wonderful family, how to be committed and faithful to his beliefs and family. Leadership was a trait he expressed in the way he approached you and all other issues he faced.

How do you sum up a life so well-lived?
How about this...........I love you Uncle Rick.  Always have and always will.  

Now that I am in my 60's, I become more and more aware that this life is fleeting and to know my Creator and accept His grace in Christ is my finest act.  Because I have a man in my Uncle Rick who taught the principles of salvation in 'Christ alone' at his church, I know I will see him again soon in that eternal world of our God where everything is greener, prettier, more substantial and never-ending.  A place where we will never be sick or in-firmed and we will never write 'goodbye' notes for funerals, but rather will be looking for a good 'pick-up game' of baseball.

Until then Uncle Rick, I love you and will miss you.
Your nephew Andy.

Sue,
     I want to express my regrets for your loss.  Rick will be missed. As a teacher,a fellow coach at Bessemer High and a neighbor I grew to admire Rick.  He became a close friend.  He is in God's arms.  I was so glad Sam Ellis and I got to visit with him earlier this year even though I was not sure he knew us. My prayers are with you and your family in the loss. Love you.

Paul Garrett

I just want to share the the family what Rick meant to me. I am one or the Scarborough boys(three of us) that grew up in Shadyside and played YMCA ball and was a student with Rick when we were in high school.
I remember breaking a tooth at the YMCA one afternoon when Rick was my football coach(he was a student at B'ham Southern at the time). He sent me home to get it fixed. We did not have Medical help in Ensley.
Rick meant so much to  all of us kids and was someone I will have fond memories.
He grew up next door to my family when we were just babies in Fairview.
My high school days were made better because of Rick. He put up with a lot from us kids and always did it with caring for us. He also had a paddle in the Gym when it was not popular in education, but we knew he would use it on us, if needed.
He meant so much to us. I have thought of him often in the last
 few years.
Mickey Scarborough.

I want to express my condolences to the McBride Family.  As you reflect over your memories may they be a source of comfort to you.  I hope you find comfort in knowing soon God will swallow up death forever. 

Mary

Fond memories of Coach McBride as science teacher 1958 Ensley High.  Encouraged you to be your best!  Went on to return to Ensley & teach science myself in 1967.

Coach McBride was both my football coach and teacher at Ensley. He was a great mentor for all of us who played for him, both at the YMCA and at Ensley.
God rest his soul.

My best to Rick's family. Rick was one of those "Coach Mack guys" from B'ham Southern in the '50s, that had such great impact on my age group in "Y ball". He was my baseball coach at Ensley. A good, dedicated man. Bookie

I attended Ensley with Rickey. and was very fond of him. I know you were very proud of him   I am so very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to your family. 
Johnnie Brown Richey

Coach McBride was the science teacher my first year at Ensley; Since I was a January freshman I could not play B team; Coach convinced me I was to small and too young for Varsity; so he let me be the manager for the baseball team. My best friends were the players I met because of his saving me from football. He never forgot any one of our names and always made us feel like we were special. We loved him and will miss him.

Coach McBride was my baseball coach at Bessemer High and I thought he was wonderful.  It was great to have a coach so caring and involved.

God bless Coach McBride. He was my coach and my teacher at Ensley High School. He was one of the good guys. May God be with his family during this time of sorrow.
Johnny Mack Brown

I met Coach McBride in 1954 at the Ensley YMCA.  He coached me in Football, Basketball and Baseball at the old Ensley YMCA. Then coached me in B Team Football at Ensley in 1957.  Coach was a good friend and I have great memories of him.

I had Coach McBride for Homeroom and spring football at Ensley High School in 1960. He was one of my all time favorites. We shared many fond memories of Coach McBride at our 50th reunion in May 2014. Sounds like he had a very full life.

From the old Ensley YMCA. Just another life touched by a remarkable man.

My older brother, Buddy Boyd, and Ricky were buddies FOREVER!!  I remember him visiting at our house when I was a little kid.  Then I had him as a science teacher when I was a freshman or sophomore at Ensley High School.  Always a courteous, respectful, funny, great guy.  Sorry to lose him.  He and Buddy can catch up now.

Mr. McBride was a dear friend to our former director Warner Floyd and our staff members here at ARSEA.  He will be missed.

OBITUARY

Richard Lee McBride

18 October, 1934 – 19 November, 2014

Leak Memory Chapel

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