Ricky Elliot Rader

Ricky Elliott Rader was born on December 20, 1947 in the small coal miner’s town of Shamokin, PA. He was the son of Clayton Leroy Rader of German-Dutch descent and his mother Rae Marie Duncheskie of Polish ancestry. It was in this township where Rick’s parents both worked diligently to support him, and his paternal grandmother “Nanna” along with her daughter “Aunt Dots” doted lavishly upon Rick. It was their deep devotion to him and their old-world ways that greatly influenced his life-long sentiments for Pennsylvania-Dutch art, culture, food and symbolism.

At the age of 3 years, Rick moved with his parents and 1 year old sister Joan to Elyria, Ohio. It was here that he began forging closer bonds with his maternal relatives, and also welcomed his younger sister Randi and brother Dave into his world. Being the oldest child, as well as most easygoing and likeable of the sibling bunch, Rick developed and maintained strong, lifelong relationships with all his northern relatives from both sides of the family.

At the age of 9, Rick piled into a station wagon with his mom and siblings along with his recent gifted German Shepherd puppy “Rover” and his parakeet “Chipsy” and headed for the great state of Texas. This cross-country trek would reunite all with Dad who sought a better life for his family and had landed a good job in Houston. No more snowy winters for mom and her 4 rambunctious, housebound offspring!

Rick blossomed in the Lone Star State “traditions”, especially those which hinged upon “country and rural lifestyles”. It was as if he were destined to participate in 4H and Livestock Rodeo Events. He raised all types of animals for contest entries: chickens, rabbits, goats, steers and horses. He could tell you everything about raising corn and hay for feed. Rick had an incredible “Green Thumb” and could seemingly raise-from-the-dead any wilting or browning house plant. Our mother often marveled at him! And as much as we siblings hated waking up at the crack of dawn hearing his radio blaring “The Dewey Compton Farm Reports” none of that information he ever wasted.

By the time Rick completed Jr. High School, he had experienced 7 changes-of-address. Although each move was a greater opportunity for his parents to provide for the family, it often prompted great sadness for him and Joan to once again leave new friends behind. It was Mom’s great wisdom and caring that reminded her kids that their friendships with each other should be bonds for a lifetime. She instilled in them that forgiveness and kindness must always be their aim towards one another. A lesson the Rader siblings strive to embrace to this day.

Since Mom always knew how to encourage her kids to find the good in challenging situations, this was something Rick always sought to do as well. Moving as often as he did, Rick attended many different churches where he had the opportunity to hear about Jesus. At a young age, Rick’s salvation was forever established. He drew strength and wisdom from the scriptures throughout his entire life and he was always willing to share their encouragement with others.

Now, no one can say for sure, but perhaps as an answer to Rick’s prayers, his parents settled into their “forever” Pasadena homestead in 1964. (Ironically, many years later, after his parents passed away, this address would also become Rick’s “forever” homestead in his final years.)

In 1963, Rick met his best buddy and lifelong friend Chester “Forest” Shelton. Together they forged their way through their freshman high school year on the football field. Together they made a pack to commit to daily workouts climbing the stadium stairs numerous times before the practice season began. Needless to say, when “official practice” commenced, the dynamic duo left the rest of the pack in the dust when running the track with the team! Out of this experience, something inside of Rick awakened! Although he had dabbled with childhood sports and family friendly games, this was his Epiphany, “that self-discipline, which was within his control”, could accomplish this very lean young man’s dream. He could become a body builder! From that time forward - Charles Atlas magazines, Jack LaLanne telecasts, protein shakes, vitamins and vegetables -became the topics of most of his conversations. Rick became as zealous as any Olympian in training when he committed his life to a regimented work-out ethic. Our Dad’s standing joke became, “I better not get buried on Rick’s workout day or he will miss my funeral.”

As Rick’s physique became increasingly defined by muscles and strength, his childhood fascination with showmanship wrestling fueled his desire to enter the ring. As his name began to appear on local wrestling posters and programs, he was proud to rub elbows with some of his former idols such as Bull Curry, Johnny Valentine, Dave Draper and the like. Many remnants of Rick’s glory days still graced his walls and shelves the day the met the Lord.

Now with his wealth of knowledge and experience in the realm of fitness, Rick took a bold leap! He poured his heart, and his soul, and his savings into the risky business venture of owning and operating a private gym. It was publicized with fine reviews in the local press and the clientele brought Rick great pleasure, but a turn of events beyond his control dashed that dream and he lost it all. Being the strong man Rick was mentally, as well as physically, he accepted employment at Brown and Root. After 30 years of loyal service to their company, he retired as one of their most trustworthy recruiters.

Regarding his most intimate relationships, Rick was a deeply private individual. When his marriage to Donna “Cookie” Buller ended in divorce, he would not broadcast details or slander and blame. His main regret was that her two children, Ben and John of a prior marriage, may have been hurt by that experience. He always wanted to be in good standing with them. He was sincerely elated when he shared the news that he had spoken with each of them in later years. It brought him much peace.

You see, if you knew Rick, you knew he was not the kind of person who ever wanted to hurt anyone. It was not in his character to do so. He also never became a self-absorbed individual despite of his self-discipline and self-focused interests. In fact, he was quite the opposite. As a son, a grandson, a sibling, a nephew, an uncle, a cousin, a friend, Rick was very generous, very thoughtful, very loyal, and very kind to all.

May the smiles he brought to our faces with his silly humor, goofy expressions and playful antics continue on as we fondly remember this ‘gentle giant’ touching our hearts in the beloved spirit of Rick Rader.