Death Records

H. K. Ricker

El Reno American

Thursday, March 31, 1935

Death Takes Another Old Residenter -- H. K. RICKER is Dead After Operation Last Week In City--- Arrived in 1890--Was Pioneer Abstractor and Real Estate Man in County.  Another Pioneer business man of El Reno dropped out of the rapid diminishing circle, Saturday, evening at 7 o'clock, when H. K. Ricker, 76, died at Oklahoma City General hospital.  He had been in ill health for the past eight months, having undergone an operation last summer.  A final operation Tuesday of last week apparently had proved successful until a relapse was suffered Saturday.  Coming here as an abstracter on the first train which was run into El Reno from the north by the Rock Island, Mr. and Mrs. Ricker were prominently identified with the business growth of the city.  At the time of his death he was engaged in the abstract and real estate business with his son, G. M. Ricker.  The deceased was born near Bangor, Maine, on October 01, 1858.  He engaged in many lines of business during his early years, being associated with his brother in the hardware business, worked in a shoe factory, engaged in historical compellation work in Kansas City, sold railroad ties in Eastern Texas and engaged in promotion work in the wild frontier town of Tascosa, Texas.  He was married to Helen McGregor at St. Joseph, Mo., to which union one son, Glen, was born.  Mrs. Ricker died November 13, and the other survivors include a sister, Mrs. Lizzie Whittier of Framingham, Mass., and two grandchildren Betty Lou and Jack Ricker.---Was Prominent Mason-- Many Masonic honors were tendered Mr. Ricker during his lifetime, among these being past grand high priest of Royal Arch Masons and past grand commander of Knights Templar.  He was an active member of the Baptist church, a former Kiwanian and former member of the board of education, business houses of El Reno were closed during the funeral hour Monday afternoon, funeral having been held from the Baptist church.  Rev. J. W. Hodges was in charge of the rites.  Knights Templar served as escorts and the Blue Lodge burial ceremony was conducted at the grave.  Pallbearers were H. L. Fogg, L. D. Jones, J. E. Penner, Frank Taylor, H. C. Bradford and John Rouch.  Honorary pallbearers, all of whom were past grand high priests of Royal Arch Masons and past grand commanders of the Knights Templar were: Dr. Fred H. Clark and C. C. Wattson of El Reno, Eugene Hamilton of Chickasha, Chas. W. Tedrowe of Woodward, Leslie H. Swan of Oklahoma City, Thos. J. Wells of Enid, Tom Frensley of Ardmore, Ralph B. Browning of Norman and Chas. P. Wickmiller of Kingfisher.