Charles Douglas Ricks

Douglas Ricks,78, of Greenbrier died Friday, August 14 at Skyline Alive Hospice. Funeral services with Dr. Fred Baldwin officiating will be held Tuesday, August 18 at 12 Noon at Austin and Bell Greenbrier Chapel. Visitation will be Monday from two until eight o’clock and Tuesday ten until service time. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Goodlettsville. Full military rites will be conducted at graveside. Pallbearers will be Jim Markham, Tommy Haley, Troy Bell, Stephen Haley, Joe Richard Williams, Bobby Byrd, Dwayne Adcock and Kevin Eidson. Honorary pallbearers will be “the boys” of Barry Chisms’ Sunday School Class. Mr. Ricks was retired as a Technical Sergeant from the US Air Force in 1974 with 24 years active service. His guard unit was activated in 1950 during the Korean War. Besides various state side assignments, he served in Japan, Alaska, Philippines and Vietnam. He served in Key West during the Cuban Crisis. His honors include 2 Republic of Vietnam Combat Medals, Vietnam Service Ribbon, National Defense Medal, 3 Air Force Good Conduct Medals, 3 Air Force Commendation Medals, 5 Air Force Longevity Medals, and 2 Outstanding Unit Awards. He also retired from the State of Tennessee Corrections Department with 19 years service. He was an active member of Robertson County Sheriff Reserve for 10 years. Mr. Ricks was born September 20, 1930 in Savannah, GA to the late Mr. and Mrs. William F. Ricks. He was educated in Savannah schools, graduating in 1950 from Marlow High School. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother William F. Ricks, Jr. and his sister, Jane Rouse. Survivors include his wife of 57 years Ruth Birdwell Ricks, daughter and son-in-law Cheryl and Jim Markham, Greenbrier, granddaughter, Jennifer Markham, Allen, TX, nephews Wally and Michael Rouse, Savannah, GA, and nieces Wanda Mercer, Metter, GA, Donna Mobley, Ellabell GA, and Linda Harrington, Pembroke, GA. He was a devoted Christian and a member of Greenbrier First Baptist Church. He was an avid story teller and loved to recount stories of his military days and his work at the Correction Department. Enduring memorials may be made to Alive Hospice, Skyline Madison Inpatient Unit, 500 Hospital Drive, 2nd Floor, Madison, TN 37115. Greenbrier Chapel, 615-643-4000

Charles Douglas Ricks

September 20, 1930 - August 14, 2009