Mr. John Bell Ricks Jr. (JB) was born Nov. 23, 1917, to the late John Bell Ricks Sr. and CorneIia Marshall Ricks. He departed this life on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. J.B. attended Christian Home Church of Christ which served as both church and school for the Ricks community. After completing primary school in the one room church/school, he continued his education at Leighton Training School where he was class salutatorian. J.B. was a highly decorated World War II hero. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific medal with two Bronze stars, also the Philippines Liberation Luzon, and the Good Conduct medal for Honor, Fidelity, and Courage. Upon his military discharge, he returned to Alabama and worked for TVA until retirement. Preceding him in death were his wife of many years, Josephine Young Ricks; his daughter, Patsy Ricks Mason; his son, Johnny Ray Ricks; and great-granddaughter Monique Mason.
Among those who carry his memories are his grandson, Marshall (Angela) Mason Jr., great-granddaughter, Dy’mond Mason, and great-grandson, Ezekiel “Zeke” Mason, all of Chicago, Illinois, and devoted caregiver and friend, Dallas Page Vaughn, of Sheffield, Alabama.
Funeral services for Mr. Ricks will be noon Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at High Street Church of Christ, Tuscumbia, Alabama. Brother Michael Roberts is officiating. Burial is in Oakwood Cemetery, Sheffield, Alabama. The body will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. The public viewing will be today, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Tuscumbia, is directing.
