Ricky "Rick" Lee Garland

Ricky Lee Garland, 63, passed asway peacefully on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, with family by his side.

He was born August 19, 1959, to Katheryn (Adams) and Cecil F. Garland. Rick lived his young life in Topeka with his brother Turk along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends nearby.

He received his elementary education at Lundgren and Sheldon Elementary Schools. Rick later moved to Tecumseh, KS and attended 6th grade, junior high and high school in the Shawnee Heights school district, graduating in 1977. He then attended KAVTS and received a diploma in small engine mechanics.

Rick's first job was with Sears Automotive where he was employed for several years. He later worked for Redman Sewer and Drain and Blue Dot Plumbing before launching his own excavating company, "We Dig'em".

Rick was blessed with a love and talent for music and started entertaining people with his vocals and six string guitar at a young age. This continued through his life, and even on his death bed would sing to his nurses as they waled by or entered his room.

His canine companions were very dear to him. Fawnzie, Cayenne and Leo were just three of his Dobies that are on a long walk with him now.

Rick also loved cars and motorcycles. As an adolescent, he raced dirt bikes, and later enjoyed popping wheelies on his Harley Davidson at 50 miles per hour. He was a great auto mechanic. There was nothing on a vehicle, be it car, truck, or motorcycle, that he couldn't fix.

He married Vicky Kimmel, who preceded him in death. Rick was also predeceased by his mother, Katheryn Rigsby, his father, Cecil F. Garland, his stepmother, Roberta Garland, his stepfather, Virgil Rigsby and two nephews, Jesse Rigsby and Cody Rigsby.

He is survived by his siblings, Cecil "Turk" Garland, Edward Garland, Vironika Ribsby, and stepsister, Stacy Jasco. His nieces and nephews, Valerie Beam, Ryan Tatum, Cavin Garland, Cassandra Garland, James Miller, Cassidy Miller, Makayla Sharpe, and Caleb Rigsby also survive.

Rick was a loyal, generous, and loving man with a great big heart. He would literally give the shirt off his back to a total stranger. For this reason, he left this world with very few worldly possessions.

Cremation has taken place. His ashes will be taken to Colorado where he will fly free above the mountains and country he so loved.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Midwest Cremation to be used for Rick's final expenses. Any remaining funds will be donated to Doberman Rescue.