For those that didn’t know Rickey’s birth name was Cleon Reich and one of the reasons he went by Rickey.
Rickey and I not only went to school together but attended the same church and sang in the church choir (King Choral-airs) and traveled to different states singing at various churches.
During 1970 through 1972 I was part of the Marine Corps Honor Guard doing funerals for military soldiers. Rickey’s request was to be buried with these honors. My Commanding Officer asked if I was going to be able to do this funeral because of my friendship with Rickey. Being a big tough “Jarhead” I indicated I could. What a mistake that was. My duty that day was to stand at the head of the casket and my counterpart would stand at the foot of the casket. Our assignment was to fold the draped flag over the casket and give it to the Officer in charge who in turn would present the folded flag to Rickey’s mother. All was going well, I was standing at attention and my eyes were focused on my counterpart. Just before we started to fold the flag I made the mistake of looking over at Rickey’s family. I began to get teary eyed and started to shake trying to hold back the emotion. Well, the flag got folded under shaking conditions and presented to his mother. After the funeral Rickey’s family thanked me for being part of the Honor Guard and my friendship with Rickey. That was the day I made a decision never do a military funeral if I knew the individual.
More sadness. Ricky sounds like a good citizen who was motivated to be so through his connection with his church. He was another outstanding member of our class.
Thanks for posting this about Ricky and for sharing the story of his funeral. As I read it I thought how comforted Ricky's family must have been by your gift of participating in his funeral. Your actions then and telling us this story now are indications of your generous spirit.
I did not know Ricky but he certainly had a wonderful friend in Larry Adams. Larry has a beautiful heart and soul and I'm sure Ricky's family is so grateful for Larry.
Jim Hopper
Thanks to Larry Adams for searching the microfiche files at the library to find Ricky's Obituary.
Larry Adams
For those that didn’t know Rickey’s birth name was Cleon Reich and one of the reasons he went by Rickey.
Rickey and I not only went to school together but attended the same church and sang in the church choir (King Choral-airs) and traveled to different states singing at various churches.
During 1970 through 1972 I was part of the Marine Corps Honor Guard doing funerals for military soldiers. Rickey’s request was to be buried with these honors. My Commanding Officer asked if I was going to be able to do this funeral because of my friendship with Rickey. Being a big tough “Jarhead” I indicated I could. What a mistake that was. My duty that day was to stand at the head of the casket and my counterpart would stand at the foot of the casket. Our assignment was to fold the draped flag over the casket and give it to the Officer in charge who in turn would present the folded flag to Rickey’s mother. All was going well, I was standing at attention and my eyes were focused on my counterpart. Just before we started to fold the flag I made the mistake of looking over at Rickey’s family. I began to get teary eyed and started to shake trying to hold back the emotion. Well, the flag got folded under shaking conditions and presented to his mother. After the funeral Rickey’s family thanked me for being part of the Honor Guard and my friendship with Rickey. That was the day I made a decision never do a military funeral if I knew the individual.
Julie Hehn
Thank you, Larry, for posting this. A very moving story about the loss of someone so young with so much promise for a brilliant future. Bless you.
Kim Nybo (Gambish)
More sadness. Ricky sounds like a good citizen who was motivated to be so through his connection with his church. He was another outstanding member of our class.
Janet Niemi (Chubb)
Thanks for posting this about Ricky and for sharing the story of his funeral. As I read it I thought how comforted Ricky's family must have been by your gift of participating in his funeral. Your actions then and telling us this story now are indications of your generous spirit.
Linda Johnson (Baker)
I did not know Ricky but he certainly had a wonderful friend in Larry Adams. Larry has a beautiful heart and soul and I'm sure Ricky's family is so grateful for Larry.