RONNIE "RON" E. FRICKEY, 74 of Ogallala, former longtime Madrid resident, passed away Friday, March 3, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
Ronnie was born June 27, 1942 at Nampa, Idaho, the 5th of 9 children born to Virgil and Vivian (Thomas) Frickey. At age 6 the family moved to Northport, Nebraska where his family farmed and where Ron attended grade school. The family would eventually move to Ogallala where he attended high school.
On July 2, 1960, Ronnie married Sharon Anderson. The couple made their home in Ogallala, where Ronnie was employed with the City. In 1963, the family moved to Nampa, Idaho, ultimately returning to Nebraska in the late 1960's. By this time, Ronnie and Sharon had been blessed with 2 children, Tammy and John. After moving to the Madrid area in the 1970's their daughter Candace was born. The family resided in and around the Madrid area for the next 40 years. It was in Elsie that Ronnie took up trucking, which was something that he became passionate about. By the time Ronnie's career in trucking came to a close, he had logged well over one million miles, many of which spent behind the wheel of his favorite Peterbuilt truck. He developed a reputation in the area for being a trucker that could be counted on for dependabiliy and efficiency. He was better known to other truckers as "Pappy".
Ronnie's health had declined in recent years, and in the Fall of 2016, the couple moved to Ogallala to be closer to family and medical care.
Ronnie thoroughly loved spending time fishing, hunting, gardening, being outside and spending time with his family.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents Virgil and Vivian, older brother John and younger sister Juanita.
Survivors include his wife Sharon of Ogallala; children, Tammy (Darrin) Padgett, John (Katie) Frickey, Candace (Dusten) Van Velson, all of Ogallala; 3 grandsons, Nathan Padgett of North Platte, Dustin Frickey of Grant, Michael Peterson of St.Francis, KS; 2 great grandchildren, Korbyn and Braeylee Padgett of North Platte, sisters Verla Fister, Virginia Spray, Carlyn Kraft, Rozina Lovenburg, Donna Smith, and Alice Majorens and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial has been established in his name for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend.
Services will be on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in Grant, Nebraska at the Grant Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Russ Gaar officiating. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.