Rich Wilkes

Remembrance photo

Richard Eugene Wilkes
30 Jan 1948 - 07 Apr 2011

Clubs & Associations

Obituary

Richard (Rich) Eugene Wilkes was born in Nashville, Tennessee on January 30, 1948 to James A. Wilkes, Jr. and Martha Marie Hopwood Wilkes. Richard was the eldest of seven children. At years old, he accepted the Lord and was baptized at Lee Chapel AME Church in Nashville, Tenn. After the family relocated to Los Angeles in 1964, Rich graduated from Dorsey High School in 1966 and earned an AA Degree from Los Angeles City College.

Richard joined the Air Force in 1968. He served as a sergeant in various areas of Europe and Korea. When his tour of duty ended in 1972, he relocated to Northern California and began working as an Air Traffic Controller. He was a member of the infamous Controllers who were fired en masse by President Reagan for striking against the federal government. Taking life in stride, Richard not only found a new job at the Department of Motor Vehicles but found life-long friends there as well. He retired from the DMV in 2008 after over twenty years of service.

Richard was always the guy with the biggest smile and warmest laugh, which he enthusiastically shared with everyone. He also enjoyed a variety of music and loved to dance. He was a founding member of Sacramento's Capital City Square Dancers, and squared up with friends there for nearly 30 years. He was a talented and exuberant member of the Sutter's Stompers Clogging Exhibition Team. The team performed at fund raisers for the Firefighters Burn Institute and local AIDS charities as well as for hooting crowds at the State Fair. Rich was also a member of the Yuba River Recreation Group, enjoying camp-outs with them for over 25 years, and serving as board member, membership coordinator, Vice-President and President.

Rich was a talented bowler with the River City Bowlers, and still prized his numerous bowling trophies. He enjoyed a multitude of events with the Sacramento Valley Bears. and time spent in the beautiful atmosphere of Guerneville, CA.

Richard was loved enthusiastically and will be forever in our hearts. He was predeceased by his devoted partner Lance Brown. He leaves behind his parents, James and Marie Wilkes; two sisters, Anita (Wesley) Mitchell, Sheila Dixon; four brothers, Marcus, Bruce (Barbara), James (Karen) and Johnny Wilkes. Three aunts, two great aunts, seven nieces and three nephews. Two faithful, loving friends, Van Gordon and Jim French and a host of other relatives and friends.^[1]

Remembrances

Remembering Rich Wilkes
Rich passed away last month on April 7. He was a founding member of Sacramento's Capital City Squares in 1981, and squares up with his friends there for nearly 30 years. He loved dancing, and excelled at it. He was an exuberant member of the Sutter's Stompers Cloggers and performed for years for hooting crowds at the State Fair, for AIDS charities, for the Firefighter's Burn Institute, and at numerous other venues.

He was a member of the Yuba River Recreation Group for over 25 years, holding many offices with them, including President. His happy grin and delightful personality will be missed.^[2]