A DAUGHTERS LOVING MEMORIAL!

JOHN WILLIAM RICKLEFS

April 20, 1929 - December 6, 1997

God Saw You Getting Weary,

He Did What He Thought Best,

He Put His Arms Around You And Said "Come And Rest",

He Opened Up His Golden Gates,

On That Heartbreaking Day,

And With His Arms Around You,

You Gently Slipped Away,

It Broke My Heart To Lose You,

You Did Not Go Alone,

A Part Of Me Went With You,

The Day God Called You Home!

My Father was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for the news stories below. I remember the day they came and escorted him away to help those people. And how excited we were when we heard them interview him on the radio. We were very proud of him anyway, but especially that day!!

In 1969, Dad was stationed in Biloxi, Miss. when Hurricane Camille came thru and devastated the Gulf Coast. Out the door he went to see what he could do to help. He was one of the most caring people I ever knew. Below is a letter from Biloxi to him.

Dad Walking Me Down The Aisle!

I Was So Scared, And He Was So Strong And Reassuring!

Dad And I At The Shriners Ball!

Pictures of myself and brother John in happier times, 1983. Dad kept these at his bedside along with my wedding picture up till the day he left us and he treasured them. After these pictures, John "went his own way" and it was the last time we were photographed together.

Dad spent a LOT of time out of the country on assignments. The picture on the left is of him at Thule, Greenland Air Force Base. He also spent a lot of his time working in Law Enforcement. The picture on the right is of him as Deputy Sheriff of Harrison County (Biloxi), Miss. He also worked in Civil Air Patrol, Civil Defense and was a Volunteer Fireman/Fire Police. He was named Rews 1994 Fireman Of The Year. How he managed all this and raised two children by himself, I will never know. But I certainly was proud of him.

Dad was heavily involved in Civil Air Patrol and Boy Scouts.

We spent many happy years camping up in the forest or woods wherever we were stationed. He was a lot of fun. Here he is carrying the iron pots of food to the table and pictures of him with son John and one of John, him and husband Tim. Dad was heavily involved in Boy Scouts and camping was a big part of our life.

"If Tears Could Build A Stairway, And Memories A Lane, I'd Walk Right Up To Heaven, And Bring You Back Again......There Isn't A Day That Goes By That I Don't Miss You Terribly!"

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