Service

Saturday, May 12, 2023

12:00 Noon

New Jerusalem Baptist Church

Rev. Angus Thompson, Pastor

Ricky Kendricks was born September 5, 1967, in Wichita Falls, Texas. He departed this life on May 3, 2023.

His parents are the late Dorothy and Roy Kendricks, Jr. They taught him about God, love, and keeping the family together in the home.

As a young boy, Ricky accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior while attending St. Paul Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Billy Robinson. It was at this church where his musical journey began in the community.

Ricky attended elementary school, went on to McNiel Junior High graduating in 1986 from Rider High School. During his high school years, he loved composing, writing, and singing in the school and church choirs. After graduation, his music career expanded. Music was his life!

WORK & MUSICIANSHIP HISTORY

At the age of 5, his mother provided piano lessons with the late Mae Merritt and the late Jimmie Berry. Many people watched Ricky teach himself how to play both piano and organ so he continued playing in the church and around the community.

Ricky was a health care worker and served in various places productively making a living.

He became a lifetime church musician because he loved church music. His ministry was shared with many musicians, churches, choirs, preachers and enjoyed by everyone who listened.

A hard worker indeed. He was loving, dedicated, trustworthy, reliable, fun, and out-going. A friend to all he would meet. Ricky loved God and loved the worship experience others felt around him. He played for every church on the Eastside and fellowshipped with various churches surrounding Wichita Falls.

Some of his lifetime accomplishments as a musician, director, composer, singer include:

UNITY (1st group he created)

Texhoma Mass Choir Project I & II

Greater Music Workshops of America (GMWA) USA-Germany

Original West Texas Baptist District Association, Inc./Music Coordinator

Progressive West Texas Baptist District Congress & Association/Congress Youth Choir Musician

Bethlehem Baptist Baptist Church (Lawton, OK)

St. John Baptist Church (Wichita Falls, TX. & Lawton, OK.)

Greater Galilee Baptist Church (Lawton, OK.)

SAFB Gospel Choir (SAFB, TX)

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Robert M. Castle (Wichita Falls., TX.)

New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Rev. Angus Thompson (Wichita Falls., TX.)

Mission Gospel Train Ministries, Rev. E. J. Tyson (Oklahoma City, OK.)

Ben Washington Baptist Church (Irving, TX.)

Sunset Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Matthew C. McGruder (Grand Prairie, TX.)

He accompanied countless Gospel Recording Artists in his lifetime such as: Carolyn Traylor, Douglas Miller, John P. Kee, Jeffrey LaValley, V, Michael McKay, Jay Terrell, Vicky Winans, Dorothy Norwood, Velina Davenport, Connie Hicks,...and many, many more!

Worked with countless WF musicians/directors, also in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Ohio, Omaha, NE., Lawton, OK., and traveled to Germany.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father.

Ricky is survived by his special aunt, Clover Jackson of Dallas, TX; special cousins, Brenda Ladell Denson of Wichita Falls, TX, and Brenda Arps Anderson of Dallas, TX ; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, uncle, beloved family members and many friends.