Norma June Rickey passed away on January 28, 2019 in Oklahoma City. June was born in Altus, Oklahoma on June 23, 1935 to Jesse Ray and Joyce (Deen) Popchoke. At age 12 she lost her mother in childbirth and was taken in by her Aunt Martha (Deen) and Uncle Ruel Smith.
She Graduated from Altus High School in 1953, where she earned a Blanche Gilmore Scholarship to the St. Anthony School of Nursing. She received her RN in 1956, was hired at St. Anthony, and in 1957 met a junior medical student named Orville Rickey. On April 4, 1958 June and Orville were married and begun practice in 1966. Then she became the full-time mother and Physician’s wife, active in school and sports activity with the children and active in the medical auxiliary and Habitat for Humanity in its early years.
June’s greatest pleasures were her family and family activities. After snow skiing and water sports in her younger years, she traveled to places she only dreamed of as a child (Peru, Africa, Europe, Alaska, United States, Canada, Maine, ‘sailing’, and her favorite Las Vegas, to name a few.) She was active in PEO, loved the Arts and the Thursday Girls Bridge at OCG & CC.
June was preceded in death by her parents and brothers William, Donald and Johnny Popchoke. She is survived by her husband Orville of 60 years, children Kathryn Ann Rickey and David Lee Rickey and wife, Kristi of Oklahoma City, Steven Robert Rickey of Webster, New York; Grandchildren, Allison Leigh, Emily Jane, Zachary Glen, and Brandon David; Brother, Richard Popchoke, and ‘brother’ Ruel Gene Smith of Houston, Texas.
A Memorial Service will be held 4:00pm Friday, February 1, 2019 at Hahn-Cook/ Street & Draper Funeral Home, 6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, OK 73116. Memorial donations can be made to June’s favorite charity the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund or the charity of your choice.
