Kenneth Roosevelt Ricks

Kenny Roosevelt Ricks (Kenny) was born on June 11, 1947, to Vincent M. Ricks, Sr., and the late Bernetta Ricks.  He crossed over quietly into glory at the age of 74. Kenny grew up in a loving family in Montgomery County, Maryland. 

Kenny attended Gaithersburg High School, graduating in 1966.  He played several sports, including basketball and football.  He was inducted into the Lincoln Park Hall of Fame for his prowess in football and Track & Field.  Kenny was drafted into the United States Army, February 1968, and served his country faithfully until February 1970. 

Kenny was baptized at an early age and became a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Rockville, MD where his great grandfather, the Rev. Ernest Palmer was the pastor.  In his later years, he became a member of Pleasant Grove Christian Community Church in Damascus, MD, where the Rev. Lawrence W. Bryant currently serves as the pastor.  Kenny served the Lord with enthusiasm alongside his wife, Wanda.

Over his lifetime, Kenny’s hobbies and interests included playing basketball, softball, bowling, horseshoes, and spending time with his family.  Kenny was very active in church, serving as a member of several organizations. He is well known as a member of The Chosen Vessels, the gospel quartet he sang with for 12 years.  He was also very involved in community service with Earth, Wheels and Fire and the Great and Respectable Black Organization (GARBO).

Kenny’s employment includes 30 years of service at International Business Machines (IBM) in Gaithersburg, MD, and 22 years as a bus driver for the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) system.

In 2002, Kenny married his love, Wanda Duffin.  Their marriage was a role model of two people who truly loved each other.  They served the Lord together and performed community service together.

Kenny leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife Wanda; children Tonia Naylor, Caroline Ricks Dement, Kent, and David Ricks, Erik (EJ) Smith, and Aaron Duffin; grandchildren Nikki Tricksey (Darryl), Tyler K. Dement, Cara Dement, Khamal Barrett-Ricks, Diego Ricks-Navarro, Kayla Ricks-Navarro, Gabriela Ricks, Ashley Smith, Amari and Cameron Smith, Tanesha Duffin, James (YJ) McAllister, and Aaron Duffin, Jr.; great grandchildren Cameron Duffin-Barber, Kayden Wright, and Christian Smith; his father Vincent Ricks Sr.; brother Vincent Ricks, Jr. (Susie); brother-in-law Jerry Lyles (Joyce);  sister-in-law Sharon Ellison (Charles); Aunts Mary B. Lyons (James), Margaret Simons (James); Uncle Kermit Roosevelt, Jr.; nephews Michael Curtis (Kerry), Eric Ricks, Vincent Ricks, III; nieces Christina Ricks (John), and Ursula Ricks; cousins Lawrence “Chucky” Dyson and John Ernest Palmer; and his long-time special friends Monte and Robin Hill, Doris Copeland and Al Green;  and a host of other relatives and friends.

Kenny was preceded in death by his mother Bernetta Hawkins Ricks, his sister Angela Curtis, brother-in-law Philip Lyles, in-laws George and Margaret Lyles, maternal grandparents Kermit and Virginia Hawkins, paternal grandparents Kenneth and Alicia Ricks.

Kenny will always be remembered for his kindness to others, his ability to make strangers feel like life-long friends, his generosity towards everyone, his love of life and his Lord and Savior, and many more attributes too numerous to list. 

Service will be Live Stream. Link will be provided. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth Roosevelt Ricks, please visit our floral store.