DON MICHAELS RICKS, 76, entered the “Great Country Club & Casino in the Sky” on Saturday, November 10, 2018. He passed away at Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center in Eagle Pass, Texas after a courageous, hard-fought battle with congestive heart failure and other illnesses.
Don was born in Long Beach, CA on March 8, 1942 to Milton DeWitt and Juanita Francis Ricks. After Milton’s military service ended, he moved the family back to Texas, where they eventually settled in the Del Rio/Eagle Pass area and established deep roots and several family businesses. Don attended Del Rio High School, where he lettered in golf, basketball, and baseball. After graduation in 1960, he attended San Angelo State University. Milton and Nita soon found out that Don was spending more time in the bowling alley and pool hall than he was in classes, so they made him come home after only one semester. Upon his return to Del Rio, he added limbs to the family tree and opened Ricks Furniture in downtown Eagle Pass. Don was a free spirit, an avid golfer for most of his life, and a hell-of-a-card player, especially when it came to Texas Hold ‘em and Gin Rummy. There was just something about the smell of fresh cut grass or the feel of a brand-new deck of cards that Don couldn’t resist. He loved the Cowboys, the Spurs, and the Longhorns, and he was certain that they could hear his coaching through the television. Don was a loving, devoted father and grandfather, and his children and grandchildren are all aware of the fact that he was their biggest fan. He was a faithful member of Word of Life Church in Eagle Pass, where he was baptized in 2006.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Margot; four children: Kim and her husband, Jeff Bemrose of Flower Mound, TX; Donnette and her husband, Wilson Tyler of San Antonio, TX; Michael Lance Ricks and his wife, Cassandra of Austin, TX; and Don Michael Ricks Jr. and partner, Cristina Villarreal of Eagle Pass, TX; 2 step-children: Denise and her husband, Robert Krupa of Boerne, TX; and Adolfo Garza III and partner, Melinda Flores of Eagle Pass, TX; Don was also survived by ten grandchildren: Kyle Bemrose, Tori and Noah Tyler, Haleigh, Alexandra, and Caleb Ricks, Matthew and Samuel Krupa, and Brandon and Darren Garza; two brothers: Joe Ricks and his wife, Ernestine of Del Rio, TX and Bob Ricks and his wife Janet of Edmond, OK; and countless other relatives and friends who were blessed to have loved and known him. Pallbearers will include Jeff Bemrose, Robert Krupa, Michael Lance Ricks, Adolfo Garza III, Don Michael Ricks Jr., Kyle Bemrose, Brandon Garza, and Noah Tyler. Honorary pallbearers include Matthew Krupa, Samuel Krupa, and Caleb Ricks.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 16, 2018 from 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM with a service at 7:00 PM at Yeager Barrera Mortuary in Eagle Pass. A final viewing will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 8:30 AM followed by the procession to Word of Life Church under the direction of Jeff Pope for the celebration of Don’s life at 10:00 AM. Interment to follow at the Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Cemetery.
Comments
Don we'll miss you. We grew
Don we'll miss you. We grew up together almost from the begainning.
Went to DR High the to San Angelo together, I enjoyd you all the way.
God Bleass you friend.