Douglas C. Ricker, Sr.
Douglas C. Ricker Sr., 80, passed away on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at Warren Haven Nursing Home in Oxford, NJ. Born October 28, 1937 at the family homestead to the late Herman and Dorothy (nee Ross) Ricker, he was a lifelong resident of Wantage.
Doug was a 1955 graduate of Sussex High School, Sussex, NJ.
He was a self employed Dairy Farmer at Ricker Family Farm (Hermam Ricker & Sons, Ricker Brothers). Doug "Retired" after the 2009 F2 tornado that left a wide swath of damaged that included the Family Farm. He continued to mentor & befriend farmers near and far. Especially later in life to Peter Bast and George Degroot.
He was an avid sports fan and played on the famed Sussex Cardinals baseball team (1950s - 1970s).
Doug was elected to the Wantage Township Committee serving 9 years, appointed Mayor 3 times. He served on the Wantage Township Planning Board and Open Space Committees.
Doug was a member of many organizations from High School to his death in September.
He was appointed or served variously, as Chairman, Director, President, Vice-president, Treasurer, volunteering his time to Agriculture & Public Service organizations:
Wantage Hustler’s Dairy 4-H Club,
Sussex County 4-H Council,
(Awarded prize to 4-H Club Congress in 1959),
Sussex County & NJ State FFA (American Degree),
Sussex County League of Municipalities,
High Point Republican Club,
Mt. View Grange No. 137.
Sussex County Holstein Association,
Sussex County Farm and Horse Show,
Eastern Milk Producers,
Atlantic Daiyman, Inc.,
Sussex County Board of Agriculture,
New Jersey Farm Bureau,
NJ State Board of Agriculture,
Sussex County Artificial Breeding Association,
Sussex County 208 Water Management,
Sussex County Farm Land Preservation,
Wallkill River Land Use Committee,
Wallkill River Policy Advisory Committee,
Sussex County Economic Partnership.
Doug was predeceased by his newborn grandson, John (1991) and a sister-in-law, Ann Ricker (2015).
Doug is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joy (nee Hall) Ricker; father of Helen Morehead and her husband Jim of Cleveland, MN; Patti Ricker; Douglas C. Ricker Jr.; Jeff Ricker and his wife Yvette, Poppy of Nora Jean Ricker; Brother of Walter Ricker; and His beloved dog Princess, all of Wantage, NJ. He was Uncle Doug and cousin to many extended family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life service at the Unionville Fire Department 100 Rt. 284 Unionville, NY on Saturday, October 20, 2018, 11AM till 4 p.m. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Ferguson Funeral Home, Sussex, NJ. For directions and condolences see www.fergusonfuneralhomesnj.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations to: High Point Regional HS Marching Band - 299 Pidgeon Hill Road Sussex, NJ 07461, Unionville Fire Department - PO Box 372, Unionville, NY 10988 and/or Sussex County 4-H Club Foundation - 1 Spring St., Newton, NJ 07860.