David Jefferson Rickard

David J. ""Dave"" Rickard passed away peacefully at his residence on September 22, 2009. Mr. Rickard was a first generation American, born in Washington, DC on July 4, 1927. He was the son of Martyn James Rickard and Mary Menzies Rickard who immigrated to this country from Ireland and served as lifelong Salvation Army officers. After graduating from Hugh Morrison High School in Raleigh in 1945, Mr. Rickard enlisted in the US Army and served in the Occupation Forces in Germany. After honorable discharge from the Army in 1947, he attended Catawba College, graduating in 1951. Dave began his career as the Physical Director at the Salvation Army Red Shield Boys Club in 1952. After a few years, Mr. Rickard assumed the role of Executive Director, a position he held until 1973. Literally thousands of boys were influenced by Dave's firm but loving guidance. He was serving on the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Advisory Committee at the time of his death. During his time at the Boys Club, Mr. Rickard co-founded the Pop Warner Northwest Midget Football League in 1957. He also was instrumental in founding the Winston-Salem Optimist Club Soccer League in 1976. From 1973 until his retirement in 1999, he was a special agent for Jefferson Pilot Insurance. He was a past president of the Winston-Salem Association of Life Underwriters. Dave was a member of the Winston-Salem Optimist Club for over 52 years. Until his death, he was the Secretary/Treasurer of the club, a position he held for over 47 years. Mr. Rickard was the longest serving Secretary/Treasurer of any Optimist Club in the world, earning him the title, ""Mr. Optimist"". He was also a member of the Ardmore Community Club for over 35 years. Dave was an avid sports enthusiast who loved sports of any kind. He especially loved college football, ACC basketball, the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves. In addition to his dedication to community service, Mr. Rickard served as choir director at a number of churches including Konnoak Baptist, Oaklawn Baptist, Pleasant Hill Baptist (Elkin), and Goodwill Baptist. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem for 32 years where he served as a Deacon, sang in the choir, and served on various committees. Dave loved the Lord and was always willing to step up and serve wherever needed. He went on mission trips to Brussels, Belgium twice to work in refugee camps. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Dorothy ""Dot"", son, Ace Rickard (Ellen) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; daughter Valerie Stanley (Sonny) of Little River, South Carolina; son Kevin Rickard (Sally) of Charlotte, North Carolina; brother Gordon Rickard, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; brother Ron Rickard, of Tampa, Florida and sister-in-law Dorothy Rickard of Winston-Salem. He was preceded in death by his parents, and stepmother Brigadier Bertha Rickard and older brother, Major James Rickard. He is also survived by six grandchildren; Stephen Stanley, Allison Stanley, Jim Rickard, Virginia Rickard, Dave Rickard and Billy Rickard as well as He is six nephews and two nieces. Visitation will be at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home, 3315 Silas Creek Parkway from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Friday, September 25. The funeral service will be at 11:00 am Saturday, September 26 at Calvary Baptist Church followed immediately by a graveside service at Forsyth Memorial Park Cemetery. Reverend Gary Byrum will conduct the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to either Calvary Baptist Church, 5000 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104; Winston-Salem Optimist Club, PO Box 25134, Winston-Salem, NC 27114; the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club, 130-A Stratford Court, Winston-Salem, 27103 or a charity of your choice

Memorials:
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to either Calvary Baptist Church, 5000 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104; Winston-Salem Optimist Club, PO Box 25134, Winston-Salem, NC 27114; the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club, 130-A Stratford Court, Winston-Salem, 27103 or a charity of your choice

Cemetery:
Forsyth Memorial Park

Visitation:
06:00pm - 08:00pm on September 25, 2009 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel

Service:
Service at 11:00am on September 26, 2009 at Calvary Baptist Church