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Larry Neil Ricker
1954 - 2010
Larry Neil Ricker
1954 - 2010
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1954
DIED
2010
Larry Ricker Obituary
Larry Neil Ricker was a teacher and boys and girls basketball coach at Greystone Elementary School from 1978-1983. He was a teacher, football, baseball, and girls basketball coach at South Greene High School from 1983-2007. He lead the South Greene Lady Rebels in two undefeated seasons and to four TSSAA state championships. He was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame on April 17th, 2010.
He attended First Church of God. Larry Neil was a loving husband, father, mentor, coach, and a wonderful man of God.
He is survived by his wife: Billie Ricker; a son: Andy Ricker of the home; mother: Nadine Ricker of Greeneville; brother and sisters-in-law: Chris and Beth Ricker; sister and brother-in-law: Lisa and Andy Dockery; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Michael and Vana Morelock of Greeneville; sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Elizabeth and Ray Swatzell of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; brothers-in-law: Roy Morelock of Abingdon, Virginia, and Leonard Morelock of Greeneville; special nieces and nephews: Ansley and Alora Ricker, Emily and Nathan Dockery, Billy and Brian Swatzell, Letha Morelock, Monica Thornburg, Kenny Morelock, and Lauren Morelock; and several great nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Ricker; a son: Neal Ricker; grandparents: Rev. Cicero and Eula Cutshaw and I.M. and Marsha Ricker.
The body will be taken to First Church of God, 1505 West Main Street, Greeneville, where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2010 at First Church of God with Pastor Gerald Rudd, Rev. Amos Penley, Pastor Larry Moore and Rev. Jeff Casteel officiating. Interment will follow at GreeneLawn Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers are Timmy Mitchell, Milton Parham, Andrew Renner, Adam Hansel, Ben Hutton, Andy Ricker, Dwight Renner, and L.A. Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers are the South Greene Lady Rebels Basketball teams, South Greene Football and Baseball teams, Camp Creek Elementary School students, faculty, and staff, friends of the Greystone Community, Dr. Elliot B. Smith and staff, Laughlin Home Health care and staff, Dr. Natalie Scott and staff, Dr. John Boys and staff, Dr. A.K. Sen and staff, Dr. Jeffrey Clark and staff, Dr. Susan Abernathy and staff, Laughlin Memorial Hospital 4th Floor Nurses and staff, Laughlin Physical Therapy Staff, Greeneville Orthopedic Clinic and staff, Atchley Drug Store staff, numerous coaches and colleagues, a host of friends too numerous to mention, and most of all, our church family at First Church of God.
Memorials may be made to The First Church of God, 1505 West Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743. Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Tosha, Jamie, Tristen and Cadynce.
May 1, 2010
Billie and A.R., We are all saddened to have heard of Larry passing. Cady and Tristen always looked forward to seeing him outside so they could talk to him or just wave. It made their day. I was in IN with my grandfather who was in the ICU when I found out. Larry, we are fortunate to have met you and be inspired by you.
Brenda Harrison
April 26, 2010
I am so saddened by the death of Larry Neil. I sat thru so many of his basketball and football games as well as attended all of his trips to the State Tournament. Our families were connected for years. Larry Neil had a side to him that most never got to see. He was a man I admired and glad to call my friend. My prayers and thoughts go to Billie June, Andy, Nadine, Chris, Lisa and the rest of his family. May he rest in peace!
mack waddell
April 25, 2010
sorry to learn of your loss my thoughys and prayers to the family.
SAM GAJARDO
April 23, 2010
It was with a great sense of loss when I heard of Mr. Ricker death. My most greatest Condolences and Sympathy for Mr. Ricker's Departure. Our Lord has him in His Kingdom. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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Sonya (Turner) & Raymond Baskette
April 23, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Lisa and Chris and the entire family. Coach Ricker was a great man, coach, mentor and teacher. His example and drive inspired me to know that anything is possible. I have used this in my day to day living ever since. You will be missed Coach, but one day we will all meet again in Heaven.
Jewel Stevenson
April 23, 2010
Billie June and family, I am SO sorry for your loss. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Donna Cox-Hill
April 23, 2010
I Was deeply saddened to hear of Larry's passing. We graduated together in 1972 and I admired and respected him not only for his accomplishments, but for his ability to overcome life's stumbling blocks. My prayers are with the family at this very difficult time.
April 23, 2010
Ricker family: I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I knew Larry in high school. Although I have been gone from Greeneville for over 30 years, I have kept up with what has gone on there. Seeing the photos brought back a lot of memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of grief. May the love of God comfort each of you and give you a peace only He can give. Darleen Carter Barfield (Merritt Island, FL)
Sally Bolinger
April 22, 2010
To the Ricker Family, We are so sorry for your loss and a big loss to many . There is not enough words to describe what a wonderful and inspirational man COACH RICKER was and always will be to me and my family. He is a man that will never be forgotten. I have one regret, not playing ball for him my senior year, but no matter what he was always there for me. He will be sadley missed and always loved by many.........
Sally Starnes Bolinger, and Family
Alisia Askew
April 22, 2010
Billie and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that you will experience God's peace and love at this time of great loss.
Ashley Dearstone-Thompson
April 22, 2010
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you at this time...he was a huge influence on me a kid and i will never forget the things he taught me throughout the years...he will truely be missed but his legacy will live on in all of us that had the privilage to have personally known him and his family....I can proudly say that considered him My FRIEND..and Neighborhood "Dad"...He is with Neal now and finally at peace...
with love always
-Ashley Dearstone Thompson-
April 22, 2010
I am so very sorry for your loss, Coach Ricker was a wonderful teacher and I always had so much fun in his class, he will be missed. Kelley Kinser Williams
Claudia Boozer
April 22, 2010
My sympathy is with you at this time of loss. I know how difficult it is, as I lost my husband in March, 2009, after a long illness. Hang on to God, have faith in Him, and He will comfort you. My sister & I went to South Greene High School with Larry Neil, & she graduated in the same class. May God bless & keep you during this time & always.
Claudia Boozer (Ricker)
Gwen & Rex Gray
April 22, 2010
Dear Billie and family: I am so saddened to hear of your loss. My husband and I came to see Larry at the Sheperd Center in Atlanta while he was a patient there. We were so inspired by him. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
April 22, 2010
Nadine we are so very sorry to hear about your tragic loss. Coach Ricker was someone to look to for guidance in and out of school. The players he coached had the utmost respect for him. He loved to coach and his players loved to play for him. You and your family are in our prayers. Jeff,Amy,Cory Malone.
April 22, 2010
Billie, Andy, Nadine, Chris, Lisa and the rest of your family we are continiuing to pray for you and are sadly deepened by your loss. May God's peace and love embrace each of you. Gary & Phyllis Jones
April 22, 2010
Billie we are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our heart felt sympathy goes out to you and your family. May God Bless & be with you during this difficult time. Gene & Debbie Sasscer (Knoxville,TN)
Tracy Brooks
April 22, 2010
May our God of peace and comfort wrap His everloving arms around you and your family at this time of loss and pain and in the future. I never played for Coach Ricker but did admire and respect him. As I look back now I realize how special of a man he really was. God be with you all until we meet again and Rest In Peace LNR til we meet on those Golden Shores.
Tracy Carter Brooks (NGHS class of '89)
Willis,Jessica,Hunter Shivers
April 22, 2010
A TRUE MENTOR, A MANS MAN AND A ONE OF A KIND COACH WHO BELIEVED IN THE EYE OF THE TIGER. FOR THOSE OF US WHO PLAYED SPORTS KNOW AND WILL NEVER FORGET THIS STATEMENT. NOT ONLY TEACHING US SKILLS ON THE FIELD/COURT BUT MOLDING US/OUR LIVES TO EXPECT MORE OUT OF OURSELVES WHEN THE TIME CAME TO BE STRONG. MAY GOD TRULY WELCOME SUCH A GREAT INSIRATION. BILLIE AND FAMILY PLEASE EXCEPT MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. GOD BLESS
April 22, 2010
Lisa and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. I just lost my mom, March 28th, and I know your pain. I miss playing ball with you. We were blind as a bat in the out field! Bada Helle Elliott
Holly Holt
April 22, 2010
We are so sorry for your loss. My family and I share in your grief, Coach was not only my coach, but he was our neighbor and friend. He will be greatly missed by my whole family...sittin on the porch will never be the same. I can only hope that he knew the impact that he made on my life through out these years. I love you Coach Ricker may you now rest in perfect peace and love! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Holly Dearstone Holt & Family
Priscilla Freeman
Bill & Hilda Dearstone
Bill & Vanessa Dearstone & Family
Timmy & Ashley Dearstone Thompson & Family
Shane and Ellen Wilhoit
April 21, 2010
Billie and family,
We are so sorry. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
April 21, 2010
I am sorry to hear of your loss,and I would like to comfort your family with the thought of how many lives he inspired throughout the many years of teaching and coaching.He will be deeply missed by many! TESSA HYATT RENFRO CLASS OF 96
Tony, Janice, Brandon & Sabrina Rohr
April 21, 2010
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
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