Donald (Speedy) Lee Ricketts

Donald Lee Ricketts, known to his friends as Speedy was born July 30, 1926 in Webb City, Oklahoma. He was the son of Thomas Quincy and Lillie Grace “Pickett” Ricketts. Speedy was raised and attended school in Webb City and Shidler; later transferring and graduating from Cleveland High School.
Upon graduation from high school he enlisted into the service of his country in the United States Army on September 28, 1944. Upon completion of boot camp, Speedy attended Combat Infantry training where he obtained his Combat Infantry Badge on May 27, 1945. He served as a Platoon Sergeant in 2nd Batallion of the 63rd Infantry in the Southern Philippines during the Liberation. For his honorable service, Sergeant Ricketts was awared the following decorations and citations; Army Occupation Medal (Japan) with three overseas services bars, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with one bronze star, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star, and the World War II Victory Medal. He received his honorable discharge on November 5, 1946 from the Separation Center at Fort Sam Houston Texas and returned to the Kaw City area in Oklahoma.
He was married to Opal Earlene Davis on November 6, 1946 in Wellington, Kansas. The couple established their initial home in Cleveland and later moved to California for a short time. After a brief stay in California they returned to Cleveland and Speedy accepted employment with the Johnson Oil Refinery; later working for Kerr McKee when they purchased the Cleveland refinery, retiring after thirty five years of service.
Speedy and Earlene became members of the First Baptist Church in Terlton in 1958 and continued to be faithful members. In the early 1990's, the couple began traveling throughout the United States with the Baptist Builders (a network of Baptist Laypersons with a vision in their hearts to build churches for Congregations who are actively leading others to know Christ as Savior) assisting in the construction of over forty churches and buildings throughout the years.
Speedy's faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was always evident in his presence; often pursuing with those around him their knowledge of where they would spend eternity. He practiced daily his favorite scripture, 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 and you could observe from him that "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." He shared this love with his family, friends and church family and with anyone that he came into contact with.
Speedy enjoyed old time Christian Gospel music, especially the Gaithers. He loved working in the garden and sharing his harvest with everyone. He especially cherished the time that he and Earlene worked with the Baptist Builders making and establishing so many new friends. He was a very humble man that was always thankful for what he had; never bragging or boasting about anything. He often was quoted as saying, "If you think you got it bad look around because there is always someone worse off."
Living his life for the Lord was his highest priority and he was still witnessing to his roommate in the hospital the day he passed away. Speedy went to be with his Lord and Savior and reunited with his wife, Earlene; his father,Thomas Quincy Ricketts; mother Lillie Grace Ricketts; son Wayne Ricketts; brothers Dale Ricketts, Douglas Ricketts and Delmar Ricketts; grandsons Howard Stephen Ricketts and Brandon Carl Ricketts; granddaughter Catherine Ricketts and great grandson Bryce Ricketts on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa at the age of eighty-eight.
He is survived by two sons, Rodney and Amy Ricketts of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Thomas and Peggy Ricketts of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughter in law Debby Ricketts of Cleveland, Oklahoma; sister June Hall of Nipomo, California; grandchildren, Brandi Nicole McCormack of Arkansas, Katrina Ann Bridgeman of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Thomas Adam Ricketts and his wife Joanna of Owasso, Oklahoma, John Curtis Ricketts and his wife Angie of Edmond, Oklahoma, Jeffrey Wayne and Susan Ricketts of Owasso, Oklahoma, Christy Lynn and Wander Tavares of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Nathan Joe Ricketts of Pryor, Oklahoma, Rodney Earl Ricketts of Shidler, Oklahoma, Libby Berry of Morrison, Oklahoma, Rhonda Rosson of Perkins, Oklahoma, Eric Ricketts and Susie of Foraker, Oklahoma; numerous great-grandchildren as well as numerous other relatives and friends that will mourn his passing.
Church Services will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, March 30, 2015 at Terlton Baptist Church with Pastor Louis Speck officiating. Interment will follow at the Woodland Cemetery where military honors will be rendered by the Casualty Assistance Office of Fort Sill. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at www.chapman-black.com.