Howard Charles Ricks

1924 - 2021

On Sunday, October 3, 2021, Howard Charles Ricks, 97, passed away peacefully while surrounded by loved ones in Knoxville, Tennessee. Howard was born on April 30, 1924, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and remained a life-long resident of Old Metairie's Phosphor Avenue for 97 years. Howard attended St. Catherine of Siena grammar school and graduated from Metairie High School in 1941. In 1943, Howard was drafted into WWII, ultimately choosing to join the United States Marine Corps because he liked the uniforms. Howard was a corporal in the 4th Marine Division of the 20th Marine Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Company E; however, following the Battle of Tinian, the 20th Marine Regiment was inactivated, and Howard became a part of the 4th Pioneer Battalion in Company B before heading to Iwo Jima. Throughout Howard's military career, he performed first wave assaults on the Pacific Islands of Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. Howard was discharged on October 31, 1945, after contracting dengue fever from the mosquitos in the Pacific. Howard is preceded in death by his parents, Richard Charles Ricks and Edna Schremp Ricks, and former wife Gloria Stigler Ricks. Howard is survived by his children Diane Ricks Burkett and Richard Charles Ricks, II., (Jennifer); grandchildren Jennifer Ricks LeTendre (TJay), Allison Ricks Gaffney, and Richard Charles Ricks, III., (Amy), great-grandchildren Madelynn Elizabeth Grimley, Emily Marie Gaffney, Ethan Thomas Gaffney, Natalie Marie Ricks, and Richard Charles Ricks, IV; great-great-grandson Hayden Thomas Gaffney; and dear Davis, Jacob, Logan, and Charles. Howard, better known as Paw Paw by his loved ones, will be dearly missed. Paw Paw was a good, loving, generous, and exponentially stubborn man, who left a mark on the heart of everyone who met him. Paw Paw's loved ones find comfort in knowing that he lived a long and fulfilling life, leaving behind four generations to honor his legacy. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 8, 2021, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.