David Ricks
David Earl “Red” Ricks, 62, formerly of Chattanooga, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Hiroshima University Hospital in Japan.
He was the 6th child of Louise and Percy Ricks and was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on November 24, 1958. He was a 1976 graduate of Riverside High School and continued his education at UTC, receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business from Maryland State University. David worked for the Federal Government 28 years; and a 13-year veteran of the United States Army where he actively served from 1979–1992. He selected to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff Security Team at the Pentagon, where only the best is selected to serve. He was honorably discharged as 95b20 Military Policeman; ranked SGT E5 – Zama Japan station where he separated. David’s decorations include three army service ribbon/overseas service ribbon, two noncommissioned officer professional development ribbons, humanitarian service medal, four army achievement medals, army commendation medal, joint service identification badge, and national defense service medal expert badge with 45 Cal pistol and m16 AR rifle.
David was employed from 1993-1998 as a Business Manager with Hob Nob Inn Japan; Operations Manager for Camp Zama Community Club 1998–2003; Business Manager, Kure MWR, and Recreation Center Kure Japan 2003-2021. David led Kure’s MWR to win the 2006-2007 James Carroll award for management excellence; the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2009, Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service and Army Length of Service Award for 40 years of honorable federal service.
He was of the Baptist faith and loved by family and friends.
David was preceded in death by his mother, Louise “Penny” Ricks; brothers, Norman Ricks, Johnnie L. Ricks Sr., and Anthony L. Ricks; sister, Margaret H. Burt; and nephew, Marlon R. Ricks.
He leaves to cherish his memory his father, Percy Lee Ricks Sr.; brothers, Al-Kareem (Florence) Abdullah, and George (Maria) Ricks Sr.; sister, Regina (Michael) Edwards; niece, Francine Todd; brothers-in-law, Howard Burt, Eric Greene, Charles Greene, and Michael Edwards; special sister-in-law, Maria F. Ricks; brother’s children; (Norman) Pamela (Danny) Robinson, Najee, Norman Jr. Timothy, Shanika, Anika, Darius (Dee), Nikki, Corey; (Johnnie) Johnnie Jr., Jelani, Jamelia; (Abdulla) Gale, Percena, Penny, Terry, Jameel, Kareem, Lil Al, Michaela, Jamella, Kamillah, Samuel; (Anthony) Anthony Ford, Rickey, Alexander, Christopher; (George) George Jr. (Danice), Brandon, Khary, and Nikki (Noah); sister’s children, (Regina) Jamichael (Ava), Jamar; (Margaret) Michael, Yvette (Larry), and (Ryan, Myles); extended family: Ronald, Michael, Tonya and Angela Benning; Beverly Billingslea, Frankie Ricks, Larry Fuqua, Carl Saddle; special friends, class of 1976 Riverside High School, Tim Langford, Robert Phillips, MWR co-workers, military persons stationed at Kure Japan; Monica Jones, Sadie Talley, Yolanda Hawthorne, special thanks, Rick S. Bosch; director, Howard P. Kuroda of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation usage Japan, Johan Justice, Interpreter for David; all who planned and participated in David’s Ceremony held June 29, 2021 in Kure Japan and Reverend Andrew Bullard and Enoushall Kilgore.
David will lie in state on Thursday, July 1, from 12:50-5 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be on Friday, July 2, at noon in the chapel with Reverend Andrew Bullard as the eulogist. Burial will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.