Donald O'Dell Ricketts

RICKETTS, DONALD O'DELL, age 85, of Indian Springs Village, Alabama died Friday, August 24, 2012 in his home. He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1944 and the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1950. Don joined the Civil Air Patrol in 1942, and he served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947. The first of his family to graduate college, he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and was a registered professional engineer. He was first employed by the Continental Gin Company, then from 1959 until his retirement in 1992 he worked at Steward Machine Company, where he was an engineer and Senior Vice President. He was a Mason and Shriner, and earlier in life served as President of the Crestwood Civic Club and Crestwood Man of the Year, a deacon at First Christian Church, President of the Comer Elementary School PTA, and President of the Southside Dixie Youth Baseball organization. These accomplishments, however, are not his legacy. Rather, he will be remembered for the example he showed through his fairness in dealing with everyone he met, his patience and love in raising his children, and his self-sacrificial love in caring for his beloved wife for nearly 17 years after she became sick. He will also be remembered as a kind, gentle man who blessed his children with love, selflessness, wisdom, and optimism. Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Gene Hufham Ricketts; parents, Joseph Mitchell Ricketts and Zollie Trimble Ricketts; a brother, Joseph Mitchell Ricketts Jr.; and a sister, Dorothy Ricketts Huck. Survivors include Don's three children, Sally (Larry) Davenport, Drew (Jan) Ricketts, and Thomas (Vicki) Ricketts; four grandchildren, Wilson Ricketts, Joseph Ricketts, Peter Ricketts, and Jonathan Ricketts; sister-in-law, Patsy (John) Hughes; three nieces, Becky (Donovan) Harris, Nancy Huck, and Patricia Huck; nephew, Ben Huck; plus many other cousins, great-nieces and -nephews, and loving friends. Don's family wishes to thank those who expressed their love to Dad during his final illness through their words and loving actions: Dr. Allen Yeilding and his staff, Frances Williamson, Ida Mae Prentiss, and the many, many friends at the churches and workplaces of his children who reached out in special and tangible ways. Visitation will be on Monday, August 27, 2012 from 1-3 p.m. at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama, with the 3 p.m. graveside service to follow in Southern Heritage Cemetery. Rev. Benny Parks will officiate.