Obituary of Ovid Dale Rickerson

Ovid Dale Rickerson, 73, passed away on Thursday, September 27, 2018.

His cremated remains will be interred at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery (2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas) on Friday, October 19th at 1:15 pm. Deacon Steve Gretzinger presiding. An informal reception follows at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden (3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth).

Dale was born to George and Velma Rickerson on May 21, 1945 in Fort Worth, TX.

He was a 1963 graduate of Arlington Heights High School and received a bachelor and master’s degree from Baylor University, later also earning a second master’s degree from Troy University. Dale enjoyed a 22-year career in the United States Air Force as Pilot of the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker and was key to the KC-135 A to R transition. His career took him all around the world, including serving in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. After retirement with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel Dale continued his vocation as the test pilot of the NKC-135A with Chrysler Technologies Airborne Systems, then Flight Safety International as an instructor and program manager for the Gulfstream G150 aircraft. On the ground, Dale enjoyed spending time with his family and pets, rebuilding classic hotrod cars, and was an avid reader and story teller. He had the unique way with words that turned any story into an adventure.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, brother Wayne Rickerson, and step-son Patrick Dory.

Survivors: Wife, Kathie Rickerson; son, David Rickerson and wife Ayumi; daughter, Leigh Douglass and husband David; step-daughter, Jackie Gretzinger and husband Steve; six grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and extended family.