Dr. Claude Lee Ricks, Jr., DDS, MPH age 92 passed away on December 11, 2019. He was born on August 8, 1927 in Palatka, FL to Claude Lee Sr. and Thelma Ricks. Dr. Claude Lee Ricks, Jr., 92, of Fairhope, Alabama, passed away December 11, 2019.
He is survived by his wife Rebecca L. Ricks, of the home, his brother Dr. Richard Kenneth (Katy) Ricks of The Woodlands, Texas; and his children, Stefani A. Sinnott, Dallas, Texas; Tamera (Glen) L. Wilson, Dallas, Texas; Claude L. Ricks, III, Grapevine, Texas; Dr. Jon (Patricia) T. Ricks, Prosper, Texas; Jenifer D. Ingram, Whitesboro, Texas; Judson L. Ricks, Kerrville, Texas; Lisa Teutsch, Lubbock, Texas; Terrell and Shelly Cantrell, Sachse, Texas; Gayla M. (David) Buxkemper, Ransom Canyon, Texas; Reagan (John) L. Hollis; Robin (Larry) L. Gordon; 25 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, 6 nephews and nieces and 10 great-nieces and great-nephews.
Dr. Ricks is preceded in death by his parents Claude L. Ricks, Sr. and Thelma C. (Smith) Ricks, son David G. Ricks, wife Patricia A. (Baker) Ricks Voss, wife Wanda G. (Clark) Ricks Frazier & wife Donna G. (Fitzgerald) Cantrell Ricks.
Dr. Ricks was born in Palatka, Florida on August 8, 1927. He graduated from Winslow High School, Winslow, Arizona in 1945 and attended University of Arizona 1945-1948 and University of Southern California 1948-1949 where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree. He continued at USC in the Bio-Chemistry Masters Program from 1949-1950. He attended Baylor University, College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas from 1951-1955, graduating with his Doctor of Dental Surgery. He received his Masters in Public Health at the Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, Loma Linda, California in 1983. He maintained his continuous Dental Education throughout his professional life.
Dr. Ricks enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and was on active duty from 1955-1957 achieving the rank of Captain. From 1957-1965 he was inactive in the Reserve but in 1965 he reenlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and was active until 1977 achieving the rank of Major. After moving to Redlands, California in 1977, he enlisted in the California Air National Guard, Ontario, California, leaving at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1984 to reside in Lubbock, Texas. He joined the U.S. Army Reserve in Lubbock and was active until retiring from the military as Colonel of the U.S. Army Reserve in 1987. On August 30, 1987, the Army presented Colonel Ricks with The Army Commendation Medal and on February 16, 1988 he received the Meritorious Service Medal.
In conjunction with his military service, Dr. Ricks’ long dental career started with his private practice in 1955 in Dallas, Texas and then Mesquite, Texas until 1974. He was the Residency Director of the Fee Basis Program at the Dental Clinic in the Veteran Administration Hospital, Dallas, Texas from 1974 until 1977 when he was promoted to Assistant Chief, Dental Service at the Loma Linda, California VA Medical Center. Dr. Ricks taught at Loma Linda University, College of Dentistry, Loma Linda, California as an Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry from 1978-1983. He returned to Texas in 1983 where he served as Chief of Dental service at the VA Out Patient Clinic (VAOPC) in Lubbock until 1986. He was promoted to Assistant Chief of Staff/Director of the VAOPC (normally a position held by a medical physician). Not one to sit still, Dr. Ricks was also a Contract Vendor for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Prison Systems. He was Chief, Dental Service at John T. Montford PH/MS, Lubbock from 1994-2008; Chief, Dental Service at the Wheeler Unit, Plainview 1995-1999; and Chief, Dental Service at Tulia State Prison from 1997-1999. He worked as a part-time contract dentist for a private practice in Lubbock from 2000-2003. He then worked at the Lubbock Community Health Clinic until he retired in 2010-2015 at the young age of 88. At the time of his death, Dr. Ricks was a member of the 3 Circles Church in Fairhope, Alabama.
ORGANIZATIONS
Optimist Club, Dallas, TX.
Lions Club (inactive), Dallas, TX, Redlands, CA and Lubbock, TX
Exchange Club (inactive), Dallas, TX, (Founder & President of Chapter)
American Dental Association, 1955-1974
Texas Dental Association, 1955-1974
Association of Military Surgeons of the US (Life Member)
Alderman, Ransom Canyon City Council, Ransom Canyon, TX (one 2-year term)
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
Co-Investigator for “A New Composite Filling Material as an Alternative to Amalgam Research”, Johnson and Johnson, 1980-1983
Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 1985. “Composite as a Filling Material as an Alternative in Posterior Restorations”
Visitation will be 6:00-8:00pm, January 5, 2020 at Foust and Son Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be11:00am, January 6, 2020 at Foust and Son Funeral Home.
Interment will be 2:00pm at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.
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