Rick was preceded in death by his parents Lewis Sasser & Alice Talton Sasser. He will be loved and remembered by a sister Betty Gail Hopkins and husband Larry, niece Rebecca Hopkins Koligian, grandniece Ashley Hopkins and family in Goldsboro, NC. God knew Rick needed two sisters so HE chose you Betty Gaskins to be in his life. We know how much you loved him and he loved you and we appreciate all you have done for Rick and our family. God's love has shown through all that you have done these many years. Only HE knows the many sacrifices you and Skip have made. 1st Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Rick wanted to serve in the navy but could not so the Commander at Yorktown Weapons Station heard about him from a Navy recruiter and he was hired. When the Commander retired he gave Rick his cap during the ceremony to honor him and the work he was doing. A highlight of his life was being on board the USS Iowa & other ships as they sailed to Norfolk.
He was a member of Peninsula Civil War Unit 1st Battalion Va. Regulars. He enjoyed being with his friends, attending reenactments throughout Va. & NC. These two places were special to him, Gettysburg Pa, Bentonville / Harper House, "where our Thornton family lived then during the war and now". He will be missed.
