Johnnie Guy Ricketts Jr

Johnnie Guy Ricketts Jr., a loving husband and father, passed away on April 23, 2018 at the age of 69, after a long bout with Lewy Body dementia. He was a resident of Alvarado, Texas. Johnnie was a man of character, loyal to his family, his work, his church, his friends and his country. He was loving, supportive, generous and patient. He was a peacekeeper of great faith. He loved God and always had Him in his life, being a Christian example to others. He served his church as a deacon, a greeter, committee chair and member. He volunteered and was instrumental in creating the Emergency Response Team for his church. Even in his illness, he loved to go to church and bible study and was proud that he remembered everybody’s name. He served as an election clerk and Judge for 30 years and was a member of the Republican men’s club. He was also a member of the NRA.

Johnnie loved his work and spent 45 years at Ben E. Keith. He was given many opportunities to travel through his company and he was given many opportunities to test his courage by driving a race car, parachuting, deep sea fishing and horseback riding. He said he was glad he was able to do these things but did not want to do some EVER again. His company became part of his family.

Johnnie was born in Waco, Texas and moved to Cleburne at a very early age. He graduated from Cleburne High School in 1966 and North Texas State University in 1970 with a degree in Business Administration-Personnel Management. He married his wife of 46 years, Tammy Wilson, at Belton, Texas in 1972.

He is survived by his wife, Tammy Ricketts; his daughter, Mandi Ricketts Rivers and her husband Thaxton Rivers; son, Chris Ricketts; two grandsons, Caedmon and Mason Rivers; two brothers, Jeff Ricketts and wife Jennifer, and Jim Ricketts and wife Peggy; 9 nieces and nephews and 9 great nieces and nephews, and many special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peggy and Johnnie (Tom) Ricketts and his unborn grandchild who found life in heaven and is waiting for PaPa.

Memorials may be made to Retta Baptist Church Van offering or the Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas.