Ricky Gene Eakes

Ricky Gene "Ricky-Gene" Eakes, 68, passed away on Friday, Jan 11, 2025, at his Fort Walton Beach home peacefully.
Ricky was born July 30, 1956, in Philadelphia, Mississippi to Billy-Gene and Fanny-Inez Eakes. He played football at Fort Walton Beach High School and graduated in 1974.
Ricky was an avid angler and hunter, loved collecting "Clocks and Glocks," and was mostly at home watching his children and grandchildren succeed in sports, education, and parenthood. He was the butcher at various grocery stores for well over forty years including Delchamps, Bruno's, Food World, and Piggly-Wiggly. He had an effortless sense of humor and could make you laugh with one of his many catchphrases, "Crook your finger at her!".
He was survived by four daughters; Tina Yee (Andre Yee), Tori Eakes, Tonya Leber (Mike Leber), Taryn Hotchkiss (Thomas Hotchkiss), and son, Chad Dugas; eight grandchildren; Trystan, Trey, and Trent Eakes; Kade, Kole, Kruz, and Kali Hotchkiss; and Preston Leber; and one great-granddaughter; Gracyn Newberry; Some of his best friends are Mike Mccullough, Nicky Harvell, Steve Anderson, Kevin Carmichael, and had many more friends in the community. Ricky-Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Billy-Gene and Fanny-Inez Eakes, his siblings, Jim Eakes, Patricia-Darlene Arnold, and Randy-Dean Eakes, and his brother-in-law Johnny Arnold.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, January 16th at 10 AM, at Davis-Watkins Funeral Home. A reception will take place afterwards at the funeral home. His officiant will be Edward Leber.
The family of Ricky-Gene would like to thank all the friends that have reached out. To share memories, express condolences and sign the guestbook please visit, www.daviswatkins.com.