Fred Albert Ricks, Sr. was born May 11, 1922, to Claudius and Lonie Mae (Peters) Ricks. After 96 years, supported by love and admiration of family and countless friends, on May 15, 2018, Fred passed through that mystical thin space where life meets death and what lies beyond.
Fred and his brother, Sidney, were born in a sod house and grew up on the prairie in the westernmost county of the Oklahoma panhandle. Fred’s father died when Fred was seven years old. His mother maintained the family farm and raised her sons alone, no small feat in those harsh dust bowl years. Later Fred’s mother remarried and the family moved to Denver, Colorado where Fred developed a love for the Colorado Rockies. Fred had lifelong passion and respect for the land.
Fred enlisted and served as a pilot with the 29th Airborne Squadron in Europe during World War II. In 1945 he returned home, was honorably discharged, and married the love of his life, Margaret Louise Long on November 28, 1945, in Jackson, Tennessee.
Fred and Margaret moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where Fred earned a degree in Agricultural Education from CSU. They moved to Sterling, Colorado where Fred taught vocational agricultural in Pedroni and Sterling High Schools. His children, Fred, Jr. (1950) and Claudia (1952), were born in Sterling.
Fred was a teacher both professionally and in his daily living. Those who spent time with him walked away enriched. A wise and peaceful man, Fred practiced the art of teaching with unbounded energy, meticulous skill and remarkable compassion. He taught his students the science of farming and the principles for living a good life.
Fred left teaching to work in agricultural banking. He moved his family to Wichita, KS in 1966 where he worked for the Farm Credit Bank. Fred endowed the Fred and Margaret Ricks Scholarship to Colorado State University, for students studying Agricultural Education.
Fred was a 52-year member of First United Methodist Church where he served in numerous lay leadership roles right up until the day of his death.
His greatest legacy was his example of leadership, generosity, courage, kindness, loyalty, and integrity. He was proud of his family and of his community. Fred’s generosity and devotion to his family are matched by our unqualified love for him: Margaret his wife of 70 years; son Fred, Jr. and wife Tracy Boaz; and daughter Claudia. Four grandchildren are privileged to have had their lives informed and characters enriched by his presence: Bradley Ricks Hubbard, Elizabeth Susan Ricks-Aherne (Michael), Katherine Margaret Ricks, and Peter Hibbs Ricks.
Fred leaves his indelible and ongoing mark on countless extended family members and friends.
Fred’s family invites you to join them in the parlor of First United Methodist Church (330 Broadway) for a reception and visitation from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. A service of remembrance and love will follow at 2:30 p.m.
In his honor, the family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Open Door Ministry in c/o First United Methodist Church (330 Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202).
Arrangements are entrusted to the Devorss Flanagan-Hunt Funeral Home.
