The family of Ricky Dale Ward will be celebrating his life of 69 years at 2:00 pm this Sunday, December 6, 2020, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. Seating is limited to 65 seats. Due to recent state regulations, face coverings are mandatory, and the staff will be enforcing social distancing. The service will be live-streamed on this page, with a virtual guest book available for you to share memories and condolences. Rick passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2020.Rick was born January 26, 1951, to JW “Dub” and Sibyl Ruth Jackson Ward in Paducah, TX. He married Suzanne Martin Ward on June 20, 1975, and had two sons. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, his son Brent, his daughter-in-law, Laura, and their two children, Caelan and Claire; his son, Bryan, and daughter-in-law, Rebecca, as well as his mother, Sybil; sister, Debbie Lewis and brother-in-law, Dean, and their son, Colton.Rick graduated from Monterey High School in 1969 and attended Texas Tech University. While going to school, he worked as a local radio disc jockey by the name of Christopher Shane. With a love of aviation since his childhood, he obtained his pilot’s license at 16 and was set on his path of becoming an Air Traffic Controller. Having owned two planes and flown many an hour, he then decided to buy a hot air balloon (Howdy) and became a balloonist. His drive to learn and try new things led him to experience many things in life. Most of these things he could not wait to share with his children – everything from the airplanes to the hot air balloons, to classic cars with the Model A, and traveling across the central US with the travel trailer.Rick and his family were able to live in four different states, from New Mexico to Texas, Montana, and then Colorado. He was a good man and a great father; he worked hard to play hard as well. Rick worked full time as an Air Traffic Controller, but he always had a side business. He ran his own alarm installation business, was a home inspector; a real estate investor; ran his own specialty printing business with his wife. Upon retirement, he decided he wanted to be a “carnie” and bought a 1929 Ford Popcorn truck and started Olde Timer Popcorn Truck. He sold popcorn, snow cones, cotton candy, and ice-cold sarsaparilla. Still being bored, he decided to become a notary and did real estate closings on the side.One thing about Rick is that he always said that if he was going to get into something, he was going to be a participant and not an onlooker. He was a great man who created many long-term friendships along the way. He was always there to help you with anything you needed and would show up with a smile and probably a joke or something that would make you feel better.
