Stories about Ricky
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From:
Brenda Taylor
I really could not choose a favorite memory of Ricky. After 36+ years, there are too many. From our many trips to our daily lives, he made me laugh, and held me when I cried. He worked hard and loved harder. I loved him from the first day to the last.
One memory that sticks out comes from someone else and kinda exemplifies us. Ricky's cousin, Chris said, years ago, "you can just see the love when you look at each other." Of course, over the years you could see anger or frustration at times, sadness or disagreement, but it was THAT love that kept us together and sustained us. I had a couple of boyfriends in high school that I "loved", but I never actually felt love until I met Ricky Taylor. He was the love of my life, my protector, my sidekick, my hero, my best friend and he will always be my heart.
Ricky- I love you now as I've always loved you-completely!
You were a wonderful man and I was so blessed that you chose me to spend the last 36+ years with. May God welcome you with open arms and guide you to your beloved that have gone before you, then on to the rainbow bridge to reunite with all our critters, until I too, join you.
Wife
From:
JR Taylor
The earliest childhood memories that I have are vague and come in flashes of momentary scenes. The memories fade in and out, just like when you are drifting off to sleep. My parents had this giant square tv that sat on the floor and was encased by what I only assume was wood reclaimed from a 75 foot oak tree. I remember lying on the floor, while my parents sat on the edge of the bed or the couch above. They had a simple gaming system, probably a Nintendo, hooked to the tv and would play for hours. Ms. Pac Man. Super Mario. Galaga. I can’t remember the outcomes or the conversations, or if the Princess was truly ever rescued from that other castle. But I can feel the love and the laughter that my parents shared as those vague flashes cross through my memory.
As I grew older, and televisions got smaller (and made of less wood!), my hand-eye coordination grew strong enough to allow me to participate too. My mom had since moved onto more motherly things, but my dad would sporadically fire up the console with me by his side. When the newest version of Nintendo or Playstation came out, my parents would sacrifice their paycheck to buy it for me and then my dad and I would spend hours and days and weeks and months on gaming together. From Days of Thunder to Donkey Kong, we played them. Most people have a father or older brother who would let you play with the controller unplugged when it was “your turn.” Not my dad. He let me fall off every cliff and miss every jump over a turtle that I took early on. I think he did it to have a good laugh at my expense, but he was bonding with me over those failures and teaching me some life lesson tied to a running hedgehog which I’m not sure even he understood.
As I grew older and into my teenage years, I became a more proficient “gamer” than my dad, who obviously did not have the required hours to devote to a controller while holding down a full time job. We didn’t play the “cartoon” games much anymore- we had graduated onto sports games, and one in particular was ours: Madden. Every year for my birthday or Christmas, my parents bought me Madden 98. Madden 2000. Madden 2019. All of them. And every year it would become an obsession of ours. We would spend the entire fall and winter playing Madden. Game after game. One of us would be whatever terrible version of the Redskins that was trouted out for that season, and the other would just try to knock them off (even though my dad was a little upset whenever the Skins lost, even if it was virtual).
As the years went on and the iterations of Madden changed, the same routine happened over and over. New Madden, new battles, months worth of gaming. I can remember my mom getting quite upset because my dad and I wouldn’t come to dinner, or get ready for an outing until we finished just “one more quarter” of football. Usually we’d start another game after that quarter had ended and I’m still not sure if mom knew our genius plan or not.
By the time I was in high school, Madden still arrived yearly during the holidays. But the football matches slowed. I was busy with school and preparing for college. Dad was busy helping raise a newborn. But on special occasions- and I truly see them now as special occasions-- someone would play the Redskins and someone would have the terrible distinction of being the Cowboys. We’d play a game or two every few months. I had mastered the game and could easily defeat my dad with scores like 42-7. Maybe 35-14 if I was distracted by texting. Around Madden 2005 I realized that my dad picked up the controller when I was home from school not only for fun, but to ‘connect’ with me with something familiar. I also realized that if I let up just slightly-- I could squeeze more games out of my dad. 24-21 overtime games were more fun anyway. And every once in a while I would go into it overly confident in my ability and my hall of fame dad would flash back to glory years when I couldn’t jump over those turtles and seemingly remember how to overcome. He’d beat me, even though I was giving 100%. I wanted to play more games with him so I adapted to that strategy-- keep the games closer and dad would play longer. I’d get more time with my dad. And more of his undivided attention instead of it going to my sisters.
I look back now and wonder if it was my dad “overcoming” how much I excelled in the game. Or, maybe, if my dad was the one backing off all those years and allowing me to win because he didn’t want me to walk away sooner out of losing. Maybe he was afraid that my boredom would push me away from the console and to my friends, my phone, or something that wasn’t him.
While my dad was in the hospital these last several weeks, I found myself trying to find distractions to pass the time. I prayed. I ran. I ate. I called my mom. I took the dogs on miles long walks. But when I was home alone and the dogs were tired, I turned to something familiar: Madden. Play after play. Game after game. Season after season.
Now, I regret not having more of those moments with my dad during the later years. As Madden 21 and then Madden 30 and then Madden 55 come out- I’ll always remember the times when we would play uninterrupted and I would demolish him while he was the Cowboys and I was the Redskins. Or maybe, just maybe, I have it wrong. Maybe my dad was the one who stumbled on purpose so that he had more time and more games with me by his side.
Son
From:
Amber Taylor
My dad has always been an animal lover, from the day he was born, until the day he left us. I got my love of animals from him one- hundred and fifty percent. We used to spend a lot of time outside and especially at my uncle Bobby’s house in Stafford. Bobby had a lot of woods surrounding his home and I spent a lot of time adventuring out there as a kid. I would follow my dad around wherever he went. Once when I was walking close to him I saw a worm! I was so excited and yelled “look daddy a worm!” as I reached my chubby little toddler fingers out to grab him. My dad turned around to check out the little creepy crawling his strange kid was trying to pick up but imagine his surprise when he saw a snake instead! He didn’t hesitate to decapitate the poor thing with a shovel, in order to save his precious baby girl- the weirdo who confused worms and snakes.
The point is my dad has always been there for me. He has always been my protector and the person who always had my back. I’m not sure where to go from here but at least I finally learned the difference between a snake and a worm.
Daughter
From:
Cassady Taylor
A memory that sticks out in my mind with my dad has to be the day my older brother JR rented a boat and we went out on the water as a family. My dad looked so happy to be drinking beer and swimming around in the lake with some dogs and family. He seemed so at home. At one point my sisters dog pooped in the water and he thought it was hilarious.
We spent almost 8 hours out on the lake and my dad loved every bit, even when the boat police pulled us over. He swam around the boat with me and seeing him and my mom cuddle up on the boat seats warmed my heart. A day I truly will never forget.
Daughter
From:
Bobbi Jo Taylor
I have no specific one memory of Rick. I have many cherished memories and special times that I will always remember.
Our long, hot trips to D.C. walking all over so the kids could see as much as we could pack in in one day. The only thing him or Travis would complain about, not the heat, crowd, or tired cranky kids, was how long Brenda and I took to get out the door and how much stuff we took with us. I'm sure he and Travis found amusement in getting on to us and laughed and joked about it when we couldn't hear. He had such a great sense of humor and never seemed to get upset or mad about anything.
Our Easters in Konnarock at Ella Mae's, Bryce's week or 2 stays with him, each and everything will be missed greatly.
Hunting seasons were something Travis always looked forward to. Rick came here to West Virginia to spend time with us and hunt. As others have said, Rick loved food. All kinds of food. I always made big meals when he came to visit. He never forgot to compliment me on how good everything was and most usually got seconds.
I'm thankful he got to see Bryce graduate and know what kind of man his grandson has grown to be. He didn't get as much time with Willow but she will know all about her Papaw. The last time he came in he shared the room with Willow. I'm not sure how much rest he got because she would reach out of her crib and grab and tickle his feet. When he left to go home she got up the next morning and immediately asked where Papaw went? Those are the memories I will hold close to my heart.
Daughter in law
From:
Bobby Taylor
Ricky and I always took our wives and kids to the Nascar races at Richmond. We go the afternoon before and lined up to go into the infield, and camp out. One race Dale Earnhardt won. We got to go into pit area and walk on the race track after the race. Had Rusty Wallace autograph all the kids coats, he was flying back to Charlotte NC with Dale so he was hanging around. They was saying Dale Earnhardt was coming out of the media room, so I started running around everywhere looking for him, I didn't know exactly where it was. Well I heard Ricky holler "hey rabbit, you dumb ass, here he is." Looked around and he was getting Dale's autograph. Teresa Earnhardt was with him. Ricky told Dale I looked just like him. So I ran over to them, and Dale Earnhardt put his arm around me and said "buddy we do look just alike", so we talked a lil bit. Ricky stood there with the biggest smile on his face. Dale had autographed a pic of him and his race car. I wanted it so bad, and he told me "tough shit, it's his."
Few years later Ricky gave me the pic for a birthday present. Still have it somewhere, gotta find it, and frame it in Ricky's remembrance. The last thing I texted to him was I love you brother, he didn't respond back, he was too sick, and I didn't need one. He told me the same when I went thru my cancer surgery. Sure going too miss you brother. I prayed a two part prayer to God. I asked if he could heal him that he was a good man, went to church as a child, that he didn't get baptized, but he believed in God and Jesus. And I prayed that you god knows best, and if he didn't make it, would he forgive him of his sins, so he can live again. I felt a presence when I prayed, and really believed he would heal ricky. I wondered why he didn't answer my prayers, but god is a good god, even in hard times. I believed God did answer my prayer, the second request, that his sins will be forgiven so he can live again forever. Thank you god for my brother, you gave us 59 years.
Brother
From:
Maureen Taylor
Every year around may 30th 2003, I think of this. We had our rehearsal and everyone who lived far came and stayed at the hotel the night before we got married. I was outside sitting with my girlfriend smoking and shaking like a leaf. I was so nervous. Ricky came out to smoke also while we were there. He asked me why I was so nervous. Before we went in he asked if he could get me anything. I had peach schnapps in my room but no orange juice. He went to the corner and got me a quart of orange juice. I had a hangover but I wasn't nervous any more. He was so nice to ask if I needed anything and got me the orange juice.
Another time a few years ago, we talked. He was asking me about Rabbit (Bobby). He wanted to make sure that they got all the cancer out and if he was ok. He loved his brother and it showed then. He didn't want anything to happen to him.
Ricky loved to tease, joke and love his family. He was so dedicated to his family. I wish we could of spent more time together. He was a great brother in law, and will be truly missed
Sister in law
From:
Sandy Flatequal
When I try to think of a story or memory to tell of Ricky, so many come to mind. He was such a wonderful husband to my sister, a wonderful father to my nieces and nephews, and everything I could ask for and more in a brother-in-law. He had such a great sense of humor and it’s one of my favorite things about him. When I think back on the time I spent sharing a home with Brenda and Ricky, one thing that sticks out is what ALWAYS happened when we cleaned together. Brenda and I would be ready to throw stuff out, junk to us but treasure to him. He always said “don’t throw that out! It could be worth money some day!” It didn’t matter what it was or where it was from he was hoping his treasure would make him a millionaire one day. It was never worth arguing about and the man loved collecting treasure.
The only thing more important to him than his dusty, old, maybe treasure – was his family. He has always done anything and everything in his power to make sure they are taken care of. He was the person I called when our father passed away and he didn’t hesitate to run to Brenda’s work and pull her out of the classroom.
He marched right past the office with Amber in his arms and yelled over his shoulder “Brenda needs a substitute she’s leaving!!” He didn’t stop until he had my sister in his arms. He was there to console her in one of the most difficult times in her life.
That’s just the kind of guy Ricky was. He fought hard to come home to his family and while he isn’t home in the way we had all hoped, he will always be home in our hearts. I will always hold a special place in my heart for the best brother in law in the world.
Sister in law
From:
Scott Flatequal
The one thing that I will always remember about Ricky is the way he spoke. He just had that easy going, country talking way about him and he never ceased to amaze me with words I never knew existed. I remember one time Sandy and I were spending time at the Taylor household and Jr wasn’t there. I asked Ricky where he went and plain as day he said “Ohi” confused and not sure what he was talking about I asked where that was. He said “it’s in Ohi!” I kept repeating the word over and over in my mind trying to decipher what it meant and I kept coming up blank. Finally I asked him to repeat himself one more time, and it dawned on me. I said “Ricky you mean Ohio?!” and in true Ricky fashion his response was “yeah Ohi!!”
Another favorite story of mine is how Ricky and I always bonded over picking on my wife together. It was always in good fun but somewhere along the way one of us came up with the name “Flapper” for her. It’s always been something we tease her and Brenda about, because they can talk for hours. I still call her that but it will now make me smile even more. I will always keep up the tradition of picking on Sandy for you Rick. Rest easy.
Brother in law
From:
Muhammad Said
If you met Rick for the first time, he was an intimidating man that was more than 6 foot tall, weighed more than 200 pounds, big arms, and scary looking tough guy... but once you got to know him.... Rick always had the best dad jokes, witty comebacks, and quick puns without a second thought. Rick and I always talked shit about the Redskins, while we wore Redskin's jersey, and talked more shit while watching the Redskin games when I came over. My last memory of Rick is when he came to my job with Brenda and Cassidy a few months ago.... and I mentioned how the Redskins were trash.... and in classic Rick fashion he threatened to break all the merchandise in the store if I said one more word and we laughed.
Every time when I came over I used to bug Rick to sell me his car that he kept in that garage for the last 10 years, he always said no, did not matter how much i offered. Rick swore he would fix it up one day when he retired and he would go back to West Virginia one day. Breaks my heart he won't get to see that part of that life. My favorite memory of Rick, is that he would sass at me for going through his fridge and finishing all of the soda while I hid behind Amber for protection lol. Rick always had the softest spot for his daughters and he hated to see those girls in any kind of pain. My memory of Rick was that he was a good man. A good husband. A wonderful father. I have nothing but wonderful remembrance of him.
Family friend
From:
Robin Preast Hannigan
To Ricky . . . our cousin . . . one of our early lifelong friends . . .
Ricky and Bobby . . . wow! Ricky and Bobby, our cousins, in Konnerock, Va were “synonymous” with “Konnerock”. Each summer, back in the late sixties and early seventies, my family (my mother Bernice is a sister to Ellamae, Ricky and Bobby’s grandmother in Konnerock) would spend our summers with them since our Father worked out of town and our mother did not drive. Our mother enjoyed spending time with her sisters, and we enjoyed summer adventures with our cousins. There were fourteen kids in my family, mostly, the youngest ten (10) would head to Konnerock since the older ones were already married or on their own.
From daylight to dark, we were together. I’ve often said “Konnerock, where days lasted forever”. From fishing, going to the “swimming hole”, sometimes twice per day, to cashing in pop bottles at Eileen’s store. WHAT memories we have! Terry and Doug were always around too! I would often say as an adult “I am going to run away to Konnerock” . . . to feel that warm morning sun again on my feet as we sat on that old wooden porch each morning with our legs swinging; walking on and off that “hill”.
Yep, we called it “upon the hill” . . . the cabin our PawPaw built long ago on the family farm with a rocky road winding up (at least half a mile). That hilly road should have been flat as many times as we walked it. The laughs shared when the cows would appear, and we would yell for “Pignasty” . . . what a name (why did PawPaw Huffman name that cow “Pignasty”?! ) Ha! Just more of the magic of those summers spent with Ricky and Bobby. I know that Ricky leaves behind a beautiful wife, kids and grandkids, a close-knit family, lots of friends, his mother Neva, and an entire host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. But when I think of Ricky leaving us . . . I cannot help but to think of Bobby . . . their names were rarely ever said separately . . . Fly high Ricky . . . Konnerock lives in us forever because of you. You will be missed. Love you… until we see you again on the “other side” . . .
On behalf of Bernice and Elbert’s children . . . Jeff, JD, Robin, Linda, Kathy, Benny, Karen, Connie, Norma, Billy, Ronnie, David, and Archie
Cousin
From:
Stephanie Redden
Well, I met the family in 1992 and they quickly accepted me. I have so many memories that it's hard to pick just one. What stands out is the way that Ricky's eyes would light up when he was proud of his families accomplishments. You could see it each time all of his children were together, when he looked upon his grandchildren, brother, mother, kids and family and when he snook looks at Brenda when she didn't know it. They lit every time Ella Mae or Travis came down or before he went to visit his country home. His eyes shined when he was in his zone or when he was up to something. I've seen his eyes light up anytime a go kart was involved and the competition began. I've seen it when he picked on me for being a Mark Martin fan and when the Redskins played well. HTTR by the way!
I remember walking in and Bryce was sitting at the table, that table we all sat around building memories, with his matchbox cars and Ricky asking him to show me pit road and Bryce, at age 3 made all the pit sounds with his tiny hands pretending to change tires and preform all actions. They were lit up at my wedding, that he filmed for me. After my nuptuals we had a great time that night! "Lynyrd Skynyrd" he'd say or "y'all know how to do it up right". They lit up when he met my kids. Listen, any man that would put up with us, gathered in numbers on game nights (once a week for so many years) and only say "lawd" is a good man! He never told us to quiet down. This man who made pork chops and Apple sauce for me, every Fri night because he knew that was my fav.. He was a family man, a friend and a good hearted country boy. He was loved!
Family friend
From:
David Posey
I worked with Ricky several times over the years but usually just for a week here or there. It was about five years ago when I was transferred to Store 757 that I started working with Ricky. The first day there was a good size trailer, so I got my cutter out and started to throw freight. After I finished my aisle, I went and checked on the team. Ricky had thrown about twice as much as I had and was not sweating; meanwhile was ready for a Gatorade and a nap. After that he kept telling me to “hurry up,” That is why I let him throw all the freight from that day forward.
Ricky made the job look easy, his experience and abundance of common sense allowed him to make decisions better and more quickly than others, including myself. When I had a question or needed some input, Ricky would always have an answer, even if it was preceded by “Oh lord, here he comes again”. Those are just some of the things made Ricky an incredible coworker. What I valued most was his sense of humor and calm demeanor. His sense of humor through his comments, mostly sarcastic, or the pictures he would share of Hillbilly toilet paper or something else just as crazy. These were funny diversions I really needed and enjoyed. His calm demeanor was important when we were getting ready for big visits. I could always count on Ricky to be calmly taking care of business.
Friend/Coworker
From:
Brianna Campbell
Growing up in high school I was blessed to have found a friendship that will last me a life time. I met Amber my freshman year and we quickly became friends and then best friends. We spent every other weekend at each other’s house and in the summer we would try to spend every other week at each other’s houses. We were always together back then. Her family became my second family. Her childhood home became my second home and vice versa. Spending that much time together, you get to know someone and their family pretty quickly. I got to go on family trips to West Virginia with them, camping, and spent many days at their house. Ricky was always saying something to Amber that would just make us laugh! It got to a point where we even made a page on Facebook to write down the things he would say so we could look back, remember and laugh. One day it was the beginning of summer and Amber complained to her dad that she needed short sleeve shirts. Her dad said “I’ve got some scissors! I can make you short sleeve shirts, shorts, and capris for free!” We just laughed, rolled our eyes and walked away. I remember getting a phone call from Amber laughing hysterically. She called to tell me her dad was watching miss universe in Spanish! Which confused me because I know he doesn’t speak or understand Spanish. She told me he said he didn’t need to understand it! We just both burst into tears laughing.
All the time Amber would call for her dad in the house. “Dad!” He wouldn’t respond at first so she would yell “Dad!” Again. He would say “no, I’m not.” And she would say “Dad!” And he would say “Well, I could be. It’s between me and 5 others” or “it’s between me and the mailman!” He was so funny like that. He would always say something sarcastically and random or had the best come backs to anything we said to him. He was a simple man, hard worker, quiet unless he had something to say and completely goofy. He loved his family with everything he had. That was very obvious from the moment I met him. His wife and his kids were his entire world. Everything he did he did for them. Him and Amber were so alike. It was even brought up at one point by Brenda. She said “She couldn’t be more your daughter if she came out of you!” He said to Amber “HA! HA! You’re a butthole baby!” And we laughed so hard while we were completely grossed out! I will always remember him and cherish these memories and moments of laughter. He was taken too soon from his family and will be very missed. R.I.P. Ricky Taylor.
Friend