George F. Ricketts died on July 11, 2013. He was 76.
He was predeceased by his first wife of 48 years, Dawn Crawford Ricketts, and his mother and father.
He is survived by his second wife of six years, Deborah Burnette Ricketts, and his four children, Jennifer Ricketts of Arlington, Jeff and his wife Cathie Ricketts of Richmond, Mark and his wife Tami Ricketts of Chesterfield, and Melanie Ricketts Brent of Mechanicsville. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Anthony, Meredith, Laura, Alanna, Emily, Joey, Aislyn, Andy, Will, and Amanda, and a brother, William Robert Ricketts Jr. of Roanoke.
He was a native of Martinsville, Va., and lived in Richmond, Va., for 30 years. Since 1995, he has lived in the community of Hallieford in Mathews County.
George was an ordained Baptist minister who graduated from the University of Richmond and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was Chaplain in the Virginia National Guard and was Chaplain at the Southampton Correctional Center and the State Farm in Goochland and Powhatan. He was appointed Executive Director of Chaplain Service of the Churches of Virginia, Inc., in 1968 and served for 27 years until his retirement in 1995. Mr. Ricketts served on numerous boards and committees. He was a member of the Religious Herald Board of Trustees for 24 years. He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and served for eight years. He was a founding Board member of Offender Aid and Restoration and a founding Board member of Volunteer Emergency Foster Care of Virginia. The Rev. Mr. Ricketts served 24 years as a member of the Virginia State Crime Commission, appointed by six Governors (three Democrats and three Republicans). He was appointed by the State Senate to serve for eight years on the Criminal Sentencing Commission. The Judicial Council of the Supreme Court of Virginia appointed him to serve on the Judicial Evaluation Task Force in 2000.
George was a member of the Richmond Torch Club from 1966-2003. He was honored with the “Outstanding Leadership Award” in pastoral care and counseling by the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in 1978. The Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, Virginia Region, in 1973 awarded him a “Community Service Award.”
Interment was private. A memorial service was held at Philippi Christian Church in Deltaville, Va., on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, at 12 noon.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to Chaplain Service, 2317 Westwood Ave., Room 103, Richmond, Va. 23230 or to your favorite charity.
Arrangements by Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Saluda.