George Yongue Ricketts

George Yongue Ricketts, beloved father and grandpa, was ushered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. Memorial service will be Monday, December 21, at 2 oclock in the afternoon at Morrison Memorial Chapel. Arrangements are entrusted with Beeson-Morrison Funeral Directors. Born April 5, 1930, George grew up in Gatesville, Texas, and often spoke of his happy childhood. He graduated with an Agricultural Engineering degree from Texas A&M University in 1951, and remained an Aggie through and through (even when he married a spunky UT grad). Following graduation, he served in the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant stationed in Japan and then Korea during the Korean War. Shortly after returning from overseas, his family encouraged him to take on the challenge of farming a section of land his grandfather had purchased in the Texas panhandle in 1904. His mother had lived in a dugout on the land in her childhood for a short period, but the family had found life on the open plains harsh and had moved back to central Texas just two years later. During his second year in Dumas, a striking, dark-haired, young teacher sat down next to him at church and presumptuously told him he would take her for a date. George and Zilda Jo Koenig were married August 4, 1956. The sweethearts had two daughters, Carol Martelle (b. 1962) and Rachel Elizabeth (b. 1964). George and Zilda were active members of First Baptist Church where they both taught adult classes. After a shift from farming to working as an operator at Phillips 66, George retired in 1994. He then focused his attention on his love of reading, tinkering in the barn, teaching Sunday School, drinking pink lemonade, and being a crossword puzzle master. George had a quiet demeanor but made sure his family knew the importance of hard work and honesty. Sometimes this resulted in him letting you know that youd had a few too many sandwiches but also coined his infamous phrase, "work hard and save your money". When the time came to leave this world, he left it with a faith that gave peace and joy to his own heart and a consolation to the hearts of all who loved him. He was preceded in death by his wife, Zilda Ricketts, and his parents, Greeley and Faith Ricketts: and sisters: Elizabeth Ann and Mary Faith. He is survived by his children; Carol Tatum and husband Robert of San Antonio, TX and Rachel Gillespie and husband Shannon of Dumas, TX; Grandchildren: Sarah Potter of San Antonio, TX Justin Potter and wife Cassie of La Vernia, TX, Jennifer Rodriguez and husband Jerry of Dumas, Nathan Gillespie and wife Brenda of Amarillo, TX, Stephanie, Joshua, and Katie Gillespie all of Dumas, TX, Timas Arya of Stockton, MO; four great grandchildren, and his dog, Sophie. The family will be at 1106 Melinda, in Dumas. In lieu of flowers, it is the hope of the family that you will take Georges philosophy to heart- continually invest. Invest in knowledge. Invest your finances. Invest in people. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of George Yongue Ricketts, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.