Obituary for Phillip Lloyd Rickey Phillip L. “Phil” Rickey, 83, of Gering, Nebraska, passed away Monday, April 16, 2018 in Loveland, Colorado, after suffering heart complications. Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Gering at 10 AM on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 with Pastor Seth Leypoldt officiating. Burial will follow at the Fort Laramie cemetery in Fort Laramie, Wyoming.
Memorials may be made to the church or the Nebraska Children’s Home in Omaha. Online condolences may be left by visiting Phillip’s Tribute Page at www. geringchapel.com Phil was born on March 16, 1935 to Leslie Rickey and Viola Ferrell-Rickey in Gainesville, Texas.
He lived in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas before moving to Fort Laramie, Wyoming in January 1949. Where he went to high school and found his high school sweetheart Carolyn Fintus and graduated in 1953. He then proceeded to extend his education at Chadron State College from 1953 through 1957 where he received his Bachelor Degree of Science in Biology.
During his college years he and Carolyn were married on August 19, 1956. Phil served in the U.S. Army in 1958 and the Army reserves from 1959-1964. While in the Army Reserves he was employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (1959) in Soil Conservation Services.
Where he worked his way up through the ranks to be a District Conservationist and was in charge of 3. 2 million acres in five counties. He also supervised 14-16 employees in four of the five counties.
After working at the USDA for forty years he retired in 1998. During his employment at the USDA he received numerous awards for outstanding service and dedication; held membership in the society of Range Management and Soil Conservation Society of America. In 1971 Phil and Carolyn had adopted a little girl and named her “Tiffany” and in 1974 they adopted a little boy and named him “Travis”.
Tiffany and Travis were the joys of their lives. Phil spent many days and traveled many miles to support his children in the sport of competitive swimming. Phil served on the Board at the Farm and Ranch Museum as well as a Trustee at the First United Methodist Church in Gering.
In his free time he loved traveling, camping, hunting and fishing, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a dedicated son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He always put other people’s needs before his own; he was a kind gentle man.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents and sister along with many cousins. He is survived by his wife Carolyn (Fintus) Rickey of Gering, son Travis Rickey (Allison) grandkids Hailey Rickey, Theodore Rickey, Rylee Hazen, and his unborn grandson Jackson Rickey of Gering, and daughter Tiffany Rickey of Arizona. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Phillip Lloyd Rickey please visit our Sympathy Store.
Cemetery Details Ft. Laramie Cemetey Ft. Laramie, WY, 2018 Previous Events Memorial 2018 APR 24.
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