Cover photo for David L Ricketts's Obituary
David L Ricketts Profile Photo

David L Ricketts

January 13, 1942 — November 30, 2012

David L Ricketts

David L. Ricketts, son of Robert Lindsay Ricketts and Hilda Emily Prentice, passed away on November 30, 2012, in Draper, Utah. His death resulted from complications arising out of a disease which he had endured for the past 9 years, called Fronto Temporal Dementia. David was born in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, on January 13, 1942. During his youth, he lived in Tacoma, Washington, Oakland and Stockton, California. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington, in 1959 and attended Tacoma Community College. Endowed with a quick mind and wit, he eventually became a pharmaceutical representative for first Merrell, then Hoechst and lastly, Roche Laboratories. While employed by Hoechst, David won every award for sales that his company offered, including the coveted Golden Key award (1986) and the all-expense paid trip to Germany three times (1989, 1991 and 1993), though he was only allowed to actually go once. From 1974-2000, he merited 54 awards for top sales. In 1971, David studied with missionaries and three weeks later, became a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His received his testimony by looking at a picture depicting "The First Vision." From that time forward, David was an active and committed member of the LDS Church. He served in 35 callings in the Church, three times as a Counselor in Bishoprics: the Cambodian Ward in Tacoma, Washington, the Chula Vista 1st Ward in Chula Vista, California, and the Young Adult Singles Ward, also in Chula Vista. Other callings included Stake Missionary, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Temple Ordinance Worker, Stake Executive Secretary, and Leader of various Priesthood Quorums. In 2005, he and his wife also served as Church Service Missionaries at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. David Ricketts is the father of Terri Wofford of Lake Tapps, Washington, Wendy Ricketts of Gig Harbor, Washington, Matthew Ricketts of Keller, Texas, and Lorna Burr of Herriman, Utah. In 1983, he married Jeanine Fry of Bremerton, Washington, and at his death, they had been married for nearly 30 years. During their married years, they lived in Gig Harbor, Washington, Chula Vista, California, Temecula, California, and Draper, Utah. David is survived by his four children and his wife, Jeanine, as well as by his only living brother, James Emerson Ricketts of Fircrest, Washington. David's mother died in 1964, his father in 1997, and his younger brother, Thomas Warren Ricketts, in 2007. Along with his four children, David has 15 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. David's interests included genealogy and family history, gun-smithing, computers, golfing, photography, motorcycling, and metal detecting. Through his employment and with his wife, he traveled to many places in the United States and abroad. His favorite trips outside the U.S. were those to Southeast Asia, England, Spain, Mexico, and Canada. In addition, he traveled many times to Hawaii and Alaska, and many states on the East Coast. In addition to being endowed with terrific mechanical abilities, David was also a good horse trader, provider, father, husband, and Priesthood holder. David's interest in photography led to wedding and family portraiture, as well as night-time scenics, taken with his special double exposure technique, which brought him many awards and much recognition. For many years, he and his wife ran a home business called Vista Photo, based primarily on photographic products generated in the San Diego and Avalon, California, areas. He was a member of the Catalina and Coronado Art Associations in California, as well as the Jesse and Amanda Knight Society, in Provo, Utah. David especially loved the LDS Temples, and through his talent in photography, he was able to share this love with many people throughout the world. Three of his temple photographs were featured on the inside front and back covers of the Ensign Magazine in 1994 and 1995. Throughout his life, David has been a good neighbor, playing Santa Claus for many years and doing other acts of secret service. He loved to tease and was an able and inspired teacher and a terrific communicator. His family will sorely miss him. Though completely dependent on others in his last few years, and often in pain, he always had a good spirit about him, and his passing will leave a void in the hearts of his family and friends. With the help of SereniCare Funeral Home, funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 4th, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in the South Mountain 7th Ward Church Building, located at 272 East Traverse Ridge Road. Following the funeral, grave side services will be held at 12:30 in the Salt Lake City Cemetery at 200 N. Street. Within the cemetery, the grave will be located on Main Street between Grand and 280 North. The family wishes to express gratitude for the many services rendered in their behalf and for the many expressions of heartfelt sympathy. In David Ricketts, a grand soul has gone home to God. David, Chosen Son By Jeanine Ricketts Written December 16, 1986 When a daughter yearned for blessings, God sent a chosen son, To lift and warm with twice-tried love, The heart of her who wondered long. "Is such joy available Within this hapless sphere? Has God designed a mate for me? A fate He holds within His hands? A complement within a man? A keeper of my destiny?" He did hear a maiden's prayer, For someone, most sublime, He heard the words, and knew the need, Of three souls who beneath him plead, From burdens to be freed. God sent a son (to such as these), Who had arisen fast, From depths of tears, from woes before, From challenges that tried his soul, But burnished ita€"the more. He sent a son, He'd known betimes, In mansions, pre-existent, Who chose the way of God's own Son, Who honored Priesthood, and who'd wona€" The robes of the most noble ones. He sent a son who'd heard the words, "The Gospel is restored!" Who loved the truth, the prophets dear; The holy scripturesa€"once made clear, He taught them without fear. He sent a son (to such as I), Who knows the better part: Discipleshipa€"he follows Christ, Serving God in truth and light; I cherish him with all my heart. All this and more, He gave to me: Laughter, tears of sympathy, Vows in white, fidelity, Husband for eternity, Davida€"soul through whom I see The fact of Father's love for me. God sent this son, to me a lord, To guide my way, to set my face Like flinta€"forwarda€"with God's grace, Striking sparks of rich rewards. He is to me the love of God, A chosen son whose deeds we'll laud. He will surpass this mortal test. He will arise and join the rest, The glorified of ages past, Who merit all that Father hath. It was he, whom Abr'am saw, Grand and noble, standing tall, It is he, whom I have chosen, To take me into God's own heav'n.
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