Ricky A. Richards

Ricky A. Richards, of Keithville, LA formerly of Steelville, MO was born on Thursday, September 29, 1955, in St. Louis, MO to Arthur L. Richards and Norma E. Myreen Richards, (nee Gray).  He passed away peacefully at his home in Keithville, LA on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the age of 69 years, 9 months and 11 days, with his loving family by his side.  

Ricky grew up in Steelville, MO and attended Steelville Schools. He worked at several different jobs including the sawmill, the shoe company in Cuba, MO, and Missouri Envelope Company in St. Louis.  He was also a manager for Standard Gas and Westport Sinclair in St. Louis, MO.  Ricky joined the United States Army on 12/27/1972 and was honorably discharged on 12/08/1975.  He married the love of his life Darlene Kay Gray on December 15, 1973, at Cherryville Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Delmar Hutson.  Two daughters were born to this union, Amy and Stephanie, who he adored and loved so much. He started working at General Motors in December of 1975 and was transferred to their Shreveport, LA division in December 1981.  Ricky retired from General Motors after 31 ½ years of service in May of 2008.  He was a member of Local #25 and #2166 United Auto Workers where he received awards for his suggestions for improvements.  After his retirement, he worked on many vehicles for family, friends and neighbors.  He also worked at Powertrain of Shreveport as a mechanic with his son-in-law, Shawn Kennemer and his grandson Cody Kennemer and at Fat Boys Racing with his best friend, Johnny Doss.  Ricky was an automative nut.  He had exceptional and intuitive mechanical talent.  He also enjoyed painting and repairing vehicles.  He mostly loved working on Mopars and showing and cruising in his 1970 Plymouth GTX.  He was a member of Shreveport Mopar Magic Unlimited, a car club where he met many other car enthusiasts.   He also loved music, mostly country.  He especially enjoyed hearing his family and friends playing and singing.  Ricky and Darlene spent vacations returning to their home state of Missouri to camp, swim, and visit with family and friends.  One of his favorite places to be was on the water, whether cruising across the lake in his boat or hanging at the river.  He loved his family and spending time with them.  He had a deep and special love for his mother and father-in-law, Russell and Virginia Gray.  He was a dedicated husband, father, father-in-law, brother, PaPa, Great PaPa, and friend.  He was such a loving, caring, and wise person who was always a doer and the backbone of our family.  He is so very loved and will be missed so much.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Norma Richards; parents-in-law Russell E. and B. Virginia Gray; sister Sandra E. Richards; half-brother Arthur R. Pointer; and brothers-in-law Russell “Rusty” A. Gray and Edward “Eddie” E. Gray.

Ricky is survived by his loving wife of 51 and a half years Darlene K. (Gray) Richards of Keithville, LA; daughters Amy K. (husband Shawn D.) Kennemer of Shreveport, LA and Stephanie D. Richards of Keithville, LA; brothers Roger L. (wife Vickie) Richards of Steelville, MO, Gary D. (wife Lisa) Richards  of St. James, MO, Larry M. (wife Vonnie) Richards of Leasburg, MO and Johnny E. Richards of Steelville, MO; sister Sheila D. (husband Kenny) Collins of Steelville, MO; sisters-in-law C. Coleen Gray (Mike Powel) of Fredericktown, MO, Deborah L. Gray of Keithville, LA, and Sandy O’Keefe (husband Jim) of Florissant, MO; grandsons Cody D. (wife Katie) Kennemer of Blanchard, LA, Dustin T. (wife Erin) Kennemer of Bossier City, LA, and Joshua C. Kennemer (fiancé Tatum Lewis) of Shreveport, LA; great grandson Noah D. Kennemer; great granddaughter Holland O. Kennemer; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.  Funeral Service was Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating.  Burial was at Freeman Cemetery, Cherryville, MO with full military honors.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

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