Jack Clarence Rickman Sr., loving father, grandfather

Jack Clarence Rickman Sr. passed away Sunday, July 14, 2024, after a long, hard battle with kidney failure. He was born Dec. 23, 1942.

“I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life,” great philosopher Henry David Thoreau wrote, and these words are the tenets to which Jack lived. He lived life on his terms; unapologetically with those he loved in his heart, as well as those on the street who needed a helping hand, a smile, a cup of coffee, or just listening.  

Robert Frost wrote “Carpe Diem” in 1938, “Be happy, happy, happy and seize the day of pleasure” was the mantra Jack lived by. He embodied and taught all who was in his energy space; he lived in the moment. For he had a deeper understanding that this moment is truly all we have.

Jack was preceded in death by his two sons, Jack C. Rickman Jr. and Chris M. Rickman. He is survived by his daughter, Patty D. Rickman of Millsboro; grandson, Josh A. Rickman of Pasadena, Md., his wife Kacey Rickman, and their children Wyatt Christopher Rickman, Phoebe Jean Rickman, Jensen Wyatt Rickman, Ollie Rickman and Owen Rickman; granddaughter, Kristyn M. Baldwin of Millsboro; grandson, Jesse A. Rickman of Pasadena; daughter, Isla Marie Rickman; granddaughter, Lauren E. Baldwin of Towson, Md.; and granddaughter, Destini Violet-Marie Rickman of Millsboro.

E.E. Cummings wrote, “I carry your heart with me; I carry it in my heart”; this is emblematic of the heart of Jack, he carried it all within his heart. Braving his life on his terms, loving within the confines of how and what love in its truest form meant to him. Jack was unafraid to speak it, and in the last days, he formed those words to all whom he loved including, Rosemary Rickman, with whom he shared his love for 63 years. The divine angels are rejoicing as they are now together once again.