Wow, as I sit here writing this, I think I'm still in shock as much as everyone else that knew and loved Ricky. I was at the Mansion when the Vaughn family came to Tupelo, and all the buzz was, there was this new family with several boys and two girls, with two of them being really cute twins. Yep, Ricky was a twin to Dickie and boy do I ever have some memories of him along with his family. I remember Ricky being very hard headed and strong willed, never giving up on what he believed to be right. Fought with his family, but was so fiercely loyal to them as well. But what I most remember about Ricky was, he was so musically talented. I could listen to him play and sit in awe of the talent he had. What a true gift. After leaving TCM, I only talked to him a handful of times, but he was still Ricky...funny and hard working in his own company and became a pilot of his own plane,( I was impressed)....But I would've expected no less from him. He made such an impact on so many of our lives and he will truly be missed by all of us at TCM who were family for alittle while, and you're blood family for sure. If I know you, you are probably up there in the heavenly choir, telling them all how it's done. You might have just joined yesterday, but they all don't know it yet, but they have a new leader....with fond memories I'll miss you.
To the Vaughn family we are so sorry to here of your lose. We know you will miss Ricky. We do have a few memories of when he came out and stayed with us for about four or five months. We had some ups and downs but over all it was a good expierience. He helped my husband build and install cabinets for my husband's sister who lived and still lives in Elk City, Ok. He made a trip to the Texas coast with us to see my sister. Ricky had a God given talent for music that I am sure you as his family will greatly miss. May God grant you comfort and peace at this time.
What do I remember about Ricky? His kindness to me. Ricky kept the Mansion exciting, good and not so good.His temper would get him in trouble at times, but he could turn around and be so sweet. I loved Ricky.
Ricky was a very strong-willed and determined boy/teenager when I was at The Mansion as Music Director and Principal of the school. I had the privilege of working with Ricky and the Vaughn family with all the musical events and tours we did and they were all so talented and picked up quickly. Ricky was my "drummer of choice" for any musical events or tours we did. However, as he grew in his teenage years, he seemed to get into trouble with "Grandpa and Grandma Robinson" a lot right before we went on a big tour and he had to be grounded for the tour several times! I asked him once if he couldn't get in trouble AFTER the tour instead of BEFORE it! He always made things right, though and I was proud of him for that even if it took some time.
I remember once I was working in my office near the chapel and he excitedly came to me and asked me if I could spare 10 minutes to listen to him play something for him. I told him "Sure!" and I followed him into the chapel where he had his stereo and drums setup. He had just gotten a new Lanny Wolfe Trio studio album which had a rockin' track on it he loved with a difficult drum part. He started plaing the record and played the drums "lick-by-lick" exactly how it had been done on the record! I was so proud of him and you could tell that meant a lot to him. His love for music was obvious and he also was so willing to be involved along with his brothers.
We will all miss his influence on this earth, but when Jesus lets me arrange a musical number in heaven, I want Ricky as my drummer and all his brothers and sisters involved! Either that, or I hope they choose me to play something when they do an arrangement since they all have probably surpassed my talents!
Like Sabrina, I sit here in shock that I'm writing something "in memory" of a childhood friend. We shouldn't have to do that . . . people are supposed to live forever, right? I wasn't a mansion kid, but I was fortunate enough to live on the East side of town and went to school with the TCM kids at Lawhon then Carver Jr. High until they started TCA in the 1979-1980 school year. I remember that so vividly because it would be the first year of school (tenth grade) that I wouldn't be at school with my BFF, Tricia Lewis. We also attended church functions and youth camps together. I don't remember exactly when the Vaughn kids came to the mansion but I do remember that all the girls swooned over the Vaughn boys and the boys did the same over the Vaughn girls. Like others have mentioned, musical talent was a God given gift to these wonderful siblings.
The last time I saw Rickie was at the funeral for his foster father, Johnnie Glisson. We hugged and when he asked how I was I replied "Fat and happy!" He laughed and said, "Yeah, me too!" Years later we reconnected through the wonderful world of Facebook and he posted once about flying back and forth from Memphis to Tupelo. Over the past two years I've been commuting from Memphis to Tupelo to help my Dad at his office so I sent Rickie a message and told him he needed to fly me back and forth because it would be so much faster and more fun than driving. Just like the guy he always was he said "Sure, I'd be glad to, just let me know when!" We never got to take that trip together but I know it was something he loved to do and was proud of that plane.
To Tammy and Maddie, we never met but I want you to know my heart breaks right along with you. We've all lost a great friend. I just want you to know that he was loved by everyone he met and my prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
To Dickie, Robert, Tangie, Margie and Zenobia, again, my prayers and thoughts are with you and the rest of the Vaughn family. May God hold you up in His arms and give you strength.
One final thought I heard from someone and I've used it many times for this situation . . .
"When you lose someone you love, you gain an angel you know."
I hated to learn of Ricky's passing. He could be sometimes challenging but deep down hada heart of gold. My sincere condolence to his family. Praying God will comfort you in this difficult time. Rest in Peace Ricky.
I remember the Vaughn family as well but didn't really get to know them as well as some others have. I sure hated to hear about the plane crash and all. My heart goes out to the family and you will continue to be in my prayers as the days go by. Just know that God will comfort you as you cry out to him. God Bless, Vcky Kroh
Sabrina Briggs (Walpole)
July 12,2012
Wow, as I sit here writing this, I think I'm still in shock as much as everyone else that knew and loved Ricky. I was at the Mansion when the Vaughn family came to Tupelo, and all the buzz was, there was this new family with several boys and two girls, with two of them being really cute twins. Yep, Ricky was a twin to Dickie and boy do I ever have some memories of him along with his family. I remember Ricky being very hard headed and strong willed, never giving up on what he believed to be right. Fought with his family, but was so fiercely loyal to them as well. But what I most remember about Ricky was, he was so musically talented. I could listen to him play and sit in awe of the talent he had. What a true gift. After leaving TCM, I only talked to him a handful of times, but he was still Ricky...funny and hard working in his own company and became a pilot of his own plane,( I was impressed)....But I would've expected no less from him. He made such an impact on so many of our lives and he will truly be missed by all of us at TCM who were family for alittle while, and you're blood family for sure. If I know you, you are probably up there in the heavenly choir, telling them all how it's done. You might have just joined yesterday, but they all don't know it yet, but they have a new leader....with fond memories I'll miss you.
David & Veletta Butcher
To the Vaughn family we are so sorry to here of your lose. We know you will miss Ricky. We do have a few memories of when he came out and stayed with us for about four or five months. We had some ups and downs but over all it was a good expierience. He helped my husband build and install cabinets for my husband's sister who lived and still lives in Elk City, Ok. He made a trip to the Texas coast with us to see my sister. Ricky had a God given talent for music that I am sure you as his family will greatly miss. May God grant you comfort and peace at this time.
Laura Knighton (Curtis)
RIcky, you were one of my favorite people ever at the mansion. This world seems a whole lot emptier now, but Heaven even dearer than ever.
Laura Knighton
L. B. & Theresa Wilmoth Staff
What do I remember about Ricky? His kindness to me. Ricky kept the Mansion exciting, good and not so good.His temper would get him in trouble at times, but he could turn around and be so sweet. I loved Ricky.
Theresa Wilmoth
Bruce & Carolyn Little
Ricky was a very strong-willed and determined boy/teenager when I was at The Mansion as Music Director and Principal of the school. I had the privilege of working with Ricky and the Vaughn family with all the musical events and tours we did and they were all so talented and picked up quickly. Ricky was my "drummer of choice" for any musical events or tours we did. However, as he grew in his teenage years, he seemed to get into trouble with "Grandpa and Grandma Robinson" a lot right before we went on a big tour and he had to be grounded for the tour several times! I asked him once if he couldn't get in trouble AFTER the tour instead of BEFORE it! He always made things right, though and I was proud of him for that even if it took some time.
I remember once I was working in my office near the chapel and he excitedly came to me and asked me if I could spare 10 minutes to listen to him play something for him. I told him "Sure!" and I followed him into the chapel where he had his stereo and drums setup. He had just gotten a new Lanny Wolfe Trio studio album which had a rockin' track on it he loved with a difficult drum part. He started plaing the record and played the drums "lick-by-lick" exactly how it had been done on the record! I was so proud of him and you could tell that meant a lot to him. His love for music was obvious and he also was so willing to be involved along with his brothers.
We will all miss his influence on this earth, but when Jesus lets me arrange a musical number in heaven, I want Ricky as my drummer and all his brothers and sisters involved! Either that, or I hope they choose me to play something when they do an arrangement since they all have probably surpassed my talents!
Bruce Little
Crystal Cook (Shaunessy)
Like Sabrina, I sit here in shock that I'm writing something "in memory" of a childhood friend. We shouldn't have to do that . . . people are supposed to live forever, right? I wasn't a mansion kid, but I was fortunate enough to live on the East side of town and went to school with the TCM kids at Lawhon then Carver Jr. High until they started TCA in the 1979-1980 school year. I remember that so vividly because it would be the first year of school (tenth grade) that I wouldn't be at school with my BFF, Tricia Lewis. We also attended church functions and youth camps together. I don't remember exactly when the Vaughn kids came to the mansion but I do remember that all the girls swooned over the Vaughn boys and the boys did the same over the Vaughn girls. Like others have mentioned, musical talent was a God given gift to these wonderful siblings.
The last time I saw Rickie was at the funeral for his foster father, Johnnie Glisson. We hugged and when he asked how I was I replied "Fat and happy!" He laughed and said, "Yeah, me too!" Years later we reconnected through the wonderful world of Facebook and he posted once about flying back and forth from Memphis to Tupelo. Over the past two years I've been commuting from Memphis to Tupelo to help my Dad at his office so I sent Rickie a message and told him he needed to fly me back and forth because it would be so much faster and more fun than driving. Just like the guy he always was he said "Sure, I'd be glad to, just let me know when!" We never got to take that trip together but I know it was something he loved to do and was proud of that plane.
To Tammy and Maddie, we never met but I want you to know my heart breaks right along with you. We've all lost a great friend. I just want you to know that he was loved by everyone he met and my prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
To Dickie, Robert, Tangie, Margie and Zenobia, again, my prayers and thoughts are with you and the rest of the Vaughn family. May God hold you up in His arms and give you strength.
One final thought I heard from someone and I've used it many times for this situation . . .
"When you lose someone you love, you gain an angel you know."
Much love and prayers!
Crystal (Cook) Shaunessy
Robert Hawks
I hated to learn of Ricky's passing. He could be sometimes challenging but deep down hada heart of gold. My sincere condolence to his family. Praying God will comfort you in this difficult time. Rest in Peace Ricky.
Vicky Kroh
I remember the Vaughn family as well but didn't really get to know them as well as some others have. I sure hated to hear about the plane crash and all. My heart goes out to the family and you will continue to be in my prayers as the days go by. Just know that God will comfort you as you cry out to him. God Bless, Vcky Kroh