Rick was the most professional Training NCO I had the pleasure of working with at F Company 131st Aviation. He was also a friend and comrade at the American Legion Post 171, especially on karaoke night. May he Rest in Peace.
CW5(Ret) Steve Hubbard

We were neighbors for about 7 years and I always enjoyed our chats and with Sheri as well. I did a little work on his house and yard a few times when I was short on work and was pleased to have the work and he was always appreciative and paid well. We both enjoyed the company of his Uncle a block down the street and Rick was always good to be down there for whatever Vernon might need. I know he loved doing the ROTC gig at the High School and I helped him repair the target rifles a time or two.
No one could keep a yard better than Rick. He manicure cut the grass twice a week at a different angle every time and resurrected a trashed yard into the envy of the neighborhood.
He was fun to know and easy to get along with and I will miss him. I met his son a few times and he was a positive energetic follow and I liked and his wife as well. Sherry ! I miss you too and maybe I will get to run into you one day down at Vernon's house.

Rick was my mentor and friend.  I coud not have had the succes I had were it not for his guidence and help.He loved talking about basketball and football. Above all else , he loved it telling corny jokes. Most of the time he would tell the same one a dozen times and still laugh as if it was the first time.  While the training NCO,   he encouraged many soldiers to get extra training, so they would qualify for promotions. And made sure the paperwork was complete .  Several times he hand carried a personnel file to the right person in Montgomery.  When we were in the CSC in Leeds, we always went to Camp Shelby and on the return he would gather pine straw and load his trunk and any free space on the convoy trucks.  Like any good soldier he loved a cold beer, and a good cigar.  After about a week ,  in missippi or Virginia he tell me how much he loved his wife and didn't like being away.

You were one of the best teachers/instructors I ever had! A second father to me and a whole lot of other students who were apart of the Woodlawn High School JROTC program, who either had lost theirs or just didn't have one in their lives @ all! It hurts to the core but I know God needed you more than we did and that you're in a much better place...  ~Philecia "Granny" Goodgain

Rick was a mentor and a friend.  I owe a lot of gratitude for his personal guidance.  He helped me and other soldiers get promotions and get the training needed.  Many times he hand carried personal files to Montgomery and put the files on the right desk.  I cannot express the amount of loss I feel.  I especially miss his corny jokes.  Sometimes he would recount the same joke a dozen times and his laughter would be just as enthusiastic as the first time.  Every time we went to Camp Shelby Rick would load his car with pine straw on the return trip.  I had not seen Rick for several years and he messaged  me on Facebook a few months ago.

Rick you will be missed, worked with him in the unit and was good friend. We had a lot of good times.

SGT Cecil M. Turner (RET)

Rick was a very Good Friend.  I really enjoyed  working with Rick, even though he was in the other company.  We helped each other all the time.  He will always be in my memories..  My Prayers goes out to his Family.  My God Bless his Soul.

God speed Rick. We at the American Legion will always remember you, your kindness and smile.  Our prayers are with your family.  Heaven has gained another angel and we will miss you.

OBITUARY

Richard Earl Masters

17 May, 1952 – 10 October, 2015

Ridout's-Brown-Service Prattville Chapel

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