Stephen "Rick" McEwen

With deep sadness we announce the passing of our beloved Rick McEwen 73, of Tampa, FL. Rick passed away at home on Saturday, February 27th, 2021. He was born in Ft. Myers, Florida on December 20, 1947, and resided in Temple Terrace and Tampa most of his life. Rick was passionate about life and was dedicated to his wife, Jane and son, Ricky and daughter, Stephanie. He attended King High School where he was a standout baseball shortstop and the University of Florida. His decades long career with Channel 8 began as an Executive Producer/Director and finished with years serving as the Operations Manager. He was proudly the initiator and creator of the successful Daytime Show. In the midst of the decades, Rick left the station to start Rick McEwen Video Productions and returned to Channel 8 after five years and retired as one of the station’s longest tenured employees. Rick lived large and loved being around people. He was always the life of the party. With his sometimes tough exterior, if he fussed at you and you fussed back, you were a friend forever, a true softie at heart. Rick was an avid (understatement) fan of the Florida Gators and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of which he was and remains one of the original season ticket holders. Saturday Gator games and Sunday Bucs games were household necessities. He ultimately ended up cheering for wife Jane’s Auburn Tigers and son Ricky’s FSU Seminoles when not playing the Gators, but it wasn’t an easy transition. Rick was fortunate to attend many elite sporting events over the years including Super Bowls, World Series and the Masters golf tournaments. His love of golf started at an early age and continued throughout his life while enjoying so many great golfing friends and partners. Rick was also a world traveler visiting over 40 countries in his life’s itinerary. He loved his corvettes, pool gatherings, watching his son at soccer games, happy hours, music of which he was a ‘rolodex’, world history, his back-yard vegetable/herb garden in retirement and most of all his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom McEwen and Pacita ‘Pat’ Ladd and step-father Andy Ladd. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jane; son Ricky; daughter Stephanie Flynn, Temple Terrace; grandchildren: Jocelyn Flynn, Jordan Flynn, Temple Terrace; sister Virginia, “Ginny” McEwen Mullaney (Kevin), Temple Terrace; step-mother Linda McEwen, Tampa; step-brothers Robbie Ladd (Dawn), Temple Terrace; Andy Ladd (Donna), Blue Ridge, GA; step-sisters Gabriella McEwen Grammig (Richard), Tampa; Elissa McEwen, Tampa; Bitsy Ladd Calloway (Donny), Highlands, NC and Susie Ladd Weda (Jim) of Travelers Rest, SC; many nieces, nephews, cousins, here in the US and in his beloved Philippines and his wide circle of friends. The family is pleased to honor Rick’s specific wishes and will host a Celebration of Life on April 10, details to follow. Please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice. Arrangements handled by Blount & Curry MacDill, 813-876-2421