Uncle Rodney Ricks

My uncle passed away in January. I went up to Idaho for the services. It was a wonderful service and a great celebration of this life. I have many great memories of my uncle. He was always a little bit of tease. They lived in California and Washington and we got to visit their family a couple times while we were all growing up. There were always fun activities planned while visiting the Ricks's. Here is his obituary written by his daughter, Tonya Ricks.

Rodney Dean Ricks passed away Jan. 11, 2011, at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, Wash., of complications from leukemia.

He was born Aug. 23, 1944, to Henry Dean Ricks and Carma Mortensen Ricks in Ardmore, Okla., and grew up in Rexburg, Idaho. He went to Madison High School in Rexburg, and continued his education at Ricks College in Rexburg. He received his engineering degree from University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Rodney moved to Vallejo, Calif., after graduation to work for Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a civil engineer. He married Nina Blanchard Ricks on Dec. 29, 1976, in Rexburg, Idaho, and they lived in Vallejo after their marriage. They raised their children in Vallejo until 1994, when they moved to Silverdale, Wash., so he could continue his work for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Rodney retired from the shipyard in 2000 but kept busy with contract work using his engineering skills.

He also continued woodworking, with turning being a specialty. He enjoyed taking many cruises and road trips with Nina, including an exciting three-week cruise from Seattle to Miami through the Panama Canal. His love in life was his children and grandchildren. They have many special memories of Dad and Grandpa.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Nina; his children, Michele Rumsey and her husband Lyle of Egin, Idaho; Brandon Ricks and his wife Terri of Fairfield, Calif.; and Tonya Ricks and her fiancé Seth Sterr of Seattle; his grandchildren, Staisha Roberts and Jacob Roberts; Alyssa, Hadley, Garett and Briana Rumsey; and Payten, Kellie and Jordan Ricks. He is also survived by his siblings, Gary (Laleene) Ricks, Deanna (Max) Wade, Susan (Randy) Landon and Mary Anne (Tom) Ciccotelli, as well as many nieces and nephews whom he loved — and loved to tease. He was predeceased by his parents, Dean and Carma Ricks.

The family would like to thank the tireless care of the 2 West Oncology nurses and staff of Harrison Medical Center as well as Dr. Malcolm Winter.

Here are some pics that my mom took at the graveside services