The story of Ricky's life was his wife of 33 years and his 4 children. For better or worst, and through love and hardship, Ricky always tried to be the best husband and father that he could. 

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Ricky's first son, Travis, was born on August 9, 1980. Travis was the spitting image of Ricky, and personality wise was closest of his siblings to his dad. Travis loved his dad so much that when he was just 2 years old he set out to walk across Little River Turnpike in Alexandria in only a diaper during the winter to find his dad alone!

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Ricky met Brenda in the summer of 1984. Brenda lived across the hall from an apartment that Ricky's cousin and childhood friends lived at in Annandale, Virginia. In 1985, the two moved into their first home together in Dale City off Ashdale Avenue. While Ricky worked nights for Giant, Brenda would sleep in his car just to be closer to him- and he would spend his breaks from work with her.

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In October of 1986, Ricky and Brenda welcomed their first child together and named him after two important men in their lives (Johnny Taylor & Robert Mergler) after the fathers who raised them lovingly.

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On April 11th, 1987 in a lavish ceremony in the front yard of the preachers home, Ricky wed the love of is life, Brenda Mergler. Surrounded by family and friends, Ricky and Brenda began a life together that spanned five decades. One of the more unique aspects of the wedding was Ricky's "best man" -- JR. 

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In December of 1988, with plans for a growing family, Ricky and Brenda moved into their home together in Dale City off Delaney Road where they raised their family together until today. The home on Delaney has served as a meeting place for friends and family alike over the years. Family birthday parties, anniversaries, afternoon-long pool tournaments, after funeral receptions, fire pit nights, weekly Friday board game nights, homecoming pictures-- two families, the Taylors and the Merglers became one in this home. Over the years Ricky and Brenda shared so many memories together with so many and 3 years after moving into the home together, their first daughter was born.

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Amber arrived on September 12th, 1991. From the beginning, Amber mirrored her dad as a baby- crying constantly until she was old enough to speak. And then a few years after that. Growing up, the Konnarock family always joked with Ricky about how he cried at everything- and Amber inherited that trait.

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And finally, seemingly out of nowhere, Ricky and Brenda welcomed Cassady 10 years after Amber on June 27, 2001. Cassady and Travis are nearly 21 years apart in age. Luckily for Ricky, Cassady was able to help bring him into the digital world and the 2000s constantly pushing him to adopt new technology, like her friends. He had Facebook. He learned how to text. He even figured out how to send hilarious Snapchat videos complete with ridiculous filters because Cassady wanted him too.

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Ricky loved his wife. And he loved all 4 of his children. He loved his grandson. He loved his grandpups. Ricky always spoke of the future- what he wish he could supply for each of his children and wife. 6 days a week he got up and went to work to help provide as best he could.