Rickie Dale Max Sr.

Rickie Dale Max, Sr., age 73, left this world peacefully on November 14, 2025, surrounded by the people who loved him most. He was born on February 12, 1952, in Covington, Tennessee to James Alfred Max and Lucille Cox Max, the middle of eight children - a role that shaped him into the gentle, funny, protective man we all knew.
Rickie's life was marked not only by hard work and dedication, but by the kind of loyalty and love that built families, steadied hearts, and made people feel safe.
Rickie entered what should have been a routine surgery, and even in his final days, he held on just long enough for those who loved him to surround him. He had made every decision ahead of time with clarity and peace - and when the moment came, he slipped away with a calmness that only comes when a man knows exactly where he is going. Jesus was his savior, and he left this life with the confidence of knowing that Heaven was his home.
Rickie served proudly in the United States Air Force, working as an Aircraft Mechanic before continuing that work with Lockheed Aircraft. From 1978 to 1984, he poured his knowledge, skill, and pride into every aircraft he touched. Later in life he retired from MTD in Brownsville, Tennessee, in 2009, where his work ethic and humor left their own legacy.
But Rickie was so much more than the jobs he worked. He was a golfer, a passionate crocheter, a motorcycle lover, a Packer fan through every win and every loss, a gun enthusiast, a jokester, prankster, and the source of more laughter than anyone could count.
If you knew him, you were not going to leave without being teased, laughed at, or pulled into some kind of joke; and you loved him more for it.
He married Judy Lynn McDaniel in 1971 and together they built a life full of love, laughter, and devotion. Their marriage lasted 30 years until her passing on November 6th, 2001 - a loss that carved a deep place in his heart that he carried always.
Rickie's greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his children: Rickie Max Jr. (Deanna Max), Melonie Rowland (Henry David Rowland), Christian Savard, and Anna-Marie Savard, along with his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
His pride and laughter were multiplied through his grandchildren: Olivia Johnson, Tayler Allen, Devin Allen, Katelynn Max, and Jensen Max; he also adored his great-grandson, Rhett Johnson.
He lovingly cherished his bonus step-grandchildren as well: Damon Rowland, Jackson Rowland, Rebecca Woods, Tia-Dannielle Riggs, and Trinity Riggs.
Rickie never believed family was defined by blood alone - he defined it by love, loyalty, and presence. And he lived that truth every day.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Judy Lynn Max, his parents, James Alfred and Lucille Max; his beloved sister, Patti Alsbrook; and his sister-in-law, Mary Katherine Max. Their reunion, we trust, was immediate and full of joy.
Rickie will be remembered for his giant heart, his sharp wit, his strength, and the way he showed love not through fancy words, but through action - fixing, helping, giving, showing up, and making sure his family always knew he was there.
There will never be another like him.
His laugh, his pranks, his competitiveness, and his unconditional love have left a mark that cannot be replaced. He leaves behind a family who will forever cherish him, miss him, and carry his stories, jokes, and lessons forward for generations.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Rickie's name to The Wounded Warrior Project or the Memphis Union Mission.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Friday, November 21, 2025 at the Covington Funeral Home chapel. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Shiloh Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time on Friday at the funeral home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rickie Dale Max, Sr., please visit our floral store.