A. Dale Ricker

A. Dale Ricker of Smithville, MO, went home to be with Jesus on September 14, 2018, at the age of 83.

Dale was born on May 24, 1935, in Macks Creek, MO, to Nera Pearl Moulder and Henry Jacob Ricker. He was the second of four children, sister Darlene Ricker Russell and brothers Archie Dee Ricker and Johnnie Lee Ricker.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Nera and Henry Ricker, sister Darlene and brother-in-law   Kenny Russell, brother Archie (Rick) Ricker, and nephew Clayton Ricker.

Dale is survived by his wife Rebecca (Becky) Brenner Ricker, son Ron Ricker, daughter Sabrina Ricker Shortino, grandsons Jacob Louderback, Ross Shortino, and Sam Shortino, brother and sister-in-law Johnnie and Charlene Ricker, sister-in-law Sharen Ricker, and nieces and nephews: Debra South Winters, Rhonda Raithel, Stephen Ricker, Amy Brink, and Stephenie Davis.

Dale began his career in 1960 as the owner of a full-service Texaco station in downtown Riverside, MO.  He owned this station, moving location once and changing to a Standard station and finally an AAMCO station, until his retirement in 1989. Also in Riverside, at different times, Dale owned a Mugs Up drive in, an A&W Root Beer drive in, and a Robo Car Wash.  In his spare time, he farmed various plots around the area.  During his career he made many life-long friends.

Dale always had a story to tell to anyone who visited with him. He spoke about his days as a Deputy for the Platte County Sheriff’s department in the mid to late 60’s.  He was proud of the fact that he rode for the Sheriff’s Posse of Platte County and was the last known survivor.  He earned his green belt in Karate and offered to demonstrate his moves on anyone who would let him. He was most proud of being a Shriner for 55 years, and as a Shriner he rode in the Mounted Guard.

In his youth he was an avid baseball player and enjoyed pitching. He coached many teams and loved all sports.  Dale used to build racecars, and Becky would drive them at the Riverside dirt track. Dale loved to shoot trap and helped youth get started when he could.  He was also a Missouri State Trapshooting Champion.

Horseracing was near and dear to his heart. Dale and Becky had numerous horses over the years and raced on tracks all over the Midwest for the majority of their lives together.  He had an ornery sense of humor and was always playing a prank on someone – just ask any one of his nieces or nephews about going snipe hunting or friends who were recipients of his humor.

Services will be held Saturday, September 22, 2018, from 4:00 to 6:30 pm at Grace Community Church in Smithville, MO.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grace Community Church Building Fund or to the Dale Ricker Youth Memorial Fund benefiting the Kansas City Trapshooting Association.