Loren Wallace Ricks

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend Loren Wallace Ricks passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on May 14, 2020 after a stroke and a long courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. The family sincerely thanks Dr. Pieper and Symbii Home Health and Hospice for the loving care that they provided. Loren was born June 5, 1945 in Logan Utah to Desmond William and Dora Christensen Ricks, the third of seven children. He grew up in Kearns Utah, roaming the nearby fields and hills, building go-carts, playing ball, raising pigeons and having all the fun that boys and young men could get away with in those days. He graduated from Granger High School in West Valley City. Loren married Lorraine LeFevre and they had three children; Jeff, Melanee and Ryan. They later divorced. Loren married his soul-mate Karen Howland and they lived in West Valley City, UT, Smoot and finally Afton, WY.

Loren followed in his father’s footsteps in the construction industry. He liked to mention that he only had two employers in his lifetime. He worked for E. Arthur Higgins Construction for thirteen years and for Alder Construction Company for eighteen years and then went into business for himself. Loren was a very talented builder. He became a superintendent before he was twenty years old because of his talent for planning and problem solving. Loren and his crews built countless water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, water storage tanks, fish hatchery structures, bridges and pipelines during his career throughout Utah, Wyoming, Nevada and Arizona. He also built three beautiful homes for his family and helped many family members and friends build their homes. Loren thoroughly enjoyed his own backhoe and dump truck business because it let him use all of his construction knowledge to help others with a wide variety of projects.

Loren loved his family and spending time with family; helping his children and then grandchildren grow up. He was so proud of each of his children for their achievements, morals, strengths and love for others. Being Grampa brought great joy to his life. He also enjoyed reloading ammunition, target shooting, playing softball, boating, fishing, camping, making fires, hunting, rebuilding wrecked automobiles and building or fixing anything. He truly had far too many talents to list.

Loren is survived by his wife and soul-mate Karen, daughter Melanee and Garrett Lawrence, son Ryan and Amy Ricks, grandchildren Travis, Alaina, Katelyn, Ryan, Tanner, Chloe, Brennen, Kelsey and Garret and great-grandchildren Myla, Winston, Kallie and Kylie, brothers Wayne and Nancy Ricks and Carl and Lori Ricks and sisters Joann Harris, Maxine Whitehead and Dorlene Rich. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Loren Jeff Ricks, brother Desmond Ross Ricks, and best friend and brother-in-law Steven Budd Rich.

Funeral services will be held at the Schwab Mortuary in Afton, Wyoming on May 30, 2020 beginning with a visitation at 10am, service at 11am followed by interment at the Auburn Cemetery. A Celebration of Life open house will be held at the Lawrence residence, 5097 W Pine Laurel Lane, West Jordan, Utah on June 13, 2020 beginning at 3 pm.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to your local food pantry.