In Memory

Ricky Martindale

Ricky Martindale

Here is a link to Ricky's memorial:  http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=martindale&GSfn=r&GSbyrel=in&GSdy=2004&GSdyrel=in&GSst=38&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=11829986&



 
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01/19/09 06:36 PM #1    

Mike Little

Fellow classmates,
Mike Little here. I just wanted to use this forum to enshrine Rick. He was my best friend and I miss him dearly. Ricky was one of the most popular people to ever attend B.A.H.S.
He was gifted athletically, smarter than most of us, and he had such an unassuming manner about him that people were drawn to him. He died right around his birthday in March of 2004. He attended Northeastern State briefly where I was a student. I introduced him to all of my friends there and as you might guess he quickly found his way into their hearts. Myself, and five of those college buddies carried Rick to his final resting place, a small cemetery in Howe, Oklahoma. His college days were shortened by his induction into the army. While stationed in Germany, Rick incurred a severe head injury that would plague him for the rest of his life. The guy we all knew - would never be the same. He received a medical discharge and moved to the Howe area where his folks were from. There, he lived out his life mostly in seclusion. He didn't drive so I use to go pick him up and bring him to my house in Tulsa for long visits. If I was unable to go and get him his dad would drive him up. Rick became a favorite of my kids and we would all hang out at the Illinois River where I had a cabin. The All American guy could hardly stomach being in the city, thus many trips to Tahlequah. Rick never did work and used his total disability check for food, rent and guitar strings. He still loved to play guitar. At his funeral they played "Free Bird" the extended version. So for 20 minutes we smiled, thought of Rick, and watched the pastor squirm. When we were in jr. high Rick and I would call girls and sing Beatle songs over the phone. When the rest of us were still trying to figure out the British Invasion, he was already playing their songs on guitar. In the 8th. grade Steve Fernandez, Ricky and me had a short lived group we called, "Ricky and the Riots." As some of you might recall, we only played slumber parties. That's why it was a short lived combo, because slumber parties were more of a jr. high thing. Before basketball games in high school, Rick and I would listen to Sgt. Pepper and meditate ( I know, I know)...We found that it relaxed us before tip off. I'm sure all of our team mates recall all of the singing on the bus, speeding through the night, heading back to B.A. after a game. By the time we were juniors Rick, Harper, and I were routinely called into a coaches office in an effort to get us to confess where the parties had been over the weekend. This was in anticipation of them (the coaches) being called into Mr. Ragsdale's office to confirm or deny rumors of wild parties attended by drunken and marauding athletes. Usually it was just a rumor (but not always.) Rick was always so cool in those meetings. He'd give them that doe eyed look like, "Us - no way coach - well I'm pretty sure I was baby sitting my little brothers." Rick Martindale was a great guy, loyal friend, and should never be forgotten. When I'm retired, I want to write a sweeping novel and call it "Big Fun." Rick will have his own chapter. There are that many stories...

01/22/09 05:36 AM #2    

Larry Cherry

Mike
Well said. Ricky was truly talented. With out a doubt our best Athlete. His inteligence may be reflected,for me bythis story . I was craming for a test just prior to walking in to take the test when ricky walked by and said 'quit sweating Cherry nobody stuided'. It made me less nervous, but the results were Rricky aced the test of cource and I failed Miserably. I mess him talking about him makes me miss him more. BAHS Class of 69 was much improved by his presence.

Goodby ole friend

02/02/09 02:03 PM #3    

Sherry Rosser (Cooper)

Thank you Mike for sharing about Ricky. I oftened wondered what happened. He was a great friend who I have many wonderful memories. Melinda and I have spent many hours talking about how much fun she,Ricky,Stanley and I had.


02/20/09 10:06 AM #4    

Jerry Schoeffler

Spider...Thanks for the info and personal eulogy on Ricky. Never knew of the head injury.He is and will be missed.

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