Richard L. "Rick" Sargent Jr.

Rick Sargent, 73 years old, of Mary Esther, FL passed away on August 16, 2025.

He was born to Richard and Mary Sargent on May 8, 1952, in Bangor, Maine.

He is a child of the Most High, King of kings and Lord of lords. He was blessed to be a man known as

a loving husband, father, and pappy. He was the head Deacon and subsequently an Elder of the

Fort Walton Beach Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Rick was a Florida State graduate, where he played football, and lifelong Seminole fan. Using the

ROTC program catapulted his career into a lustrous military career as an F-4 Phantom fighter pilot

with the call sign Hollywood that aptly captured his big smile and even bigger personality. He

always had outstanding reviews and excelled at all that he did, such as being a pilot and a historical

writer and teacher at the air command and staff college. He was very athletic throughout his life.

He was a three-letter sport in high school and was in various softball, basketball, golf and tennis

leagues throughout adulthood. He wanted to be remembered as firm but fair, wherever God placed

him, whether in fatherhood or leadership. He had a heart of gold and was a practical joker. His sons

and granddaughters were his pride and joy. Above all else, God captured his heart in the late 90's

and he never turned back. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy today through his family,

congregation, and community where he laid many crowns and treasures up in Heaven. Isaiah

40:31: "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings

as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Rick is preceded in death by his parents Richard L. Sargent and Mary Genevieve Sargent, brothers

Edwin W. Sargent, and James E. Sargent (Jimmy) and Jimmy's wife, Brenda Newman Sargent.

Rick is survived by his wife Leslie Sargent and sons Rik Jason Sargent (Kayla Sargent) and Robert

Sargent. Granddaughters Eliana and Isabella Sargent. Sister Julie Sargent and brothers Billy

(Rhonda Sargent), Bobby (Kristy Sargent) and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 26 at 10 am to celebrate the life of Rick Sargent at

the Fort Walton Beach Seventh Day Adventist church. The family will receive visitors and have a

viewing half an hour before the service. Interment will take place at Barrancas National Cemetery

following the service. Vehicles will need to arrive at the church address provided no later than 1:30

pm for the graveside service. We will process with base escort to the cemetery. No base passes will

need to be obtained.

Flowers will be received by the family.

Expressions of sympathy and support may be left online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com