Royce Rickman

Royce Don Rickman, the son of the late Otis and Margie Stanford Rickman, was born in McNairy County, Tennessee on February 24, 1949. After earning his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin, he entered the field of education, beginning his teaching career in Orlando, Florida. That first job gave him another opportunity as well, that of working cash control during the summers at Walt Disney World when it first opened, with his office being located under Cinderella’s Castle.

Over the years Royce’s chosen profession took him many places including Wayne County High School where he taught for a year and Briar Crest in Memphis, Tennessee where he taught for two years. His longest stay proved to be in Adamsville, Tennessee where he lived, taught and coached for 26 years. Eventually life took him to Valdosta, Georgia where he worked in the city school systems before retiring. No matter the location, he usually served as the Driver Education instructor and football or basketball coach.

On July 25, 1970, Royce married Donna Cannon; together they have two children, a daughter Julie McCutcheon and her husband Todd who reside in Jefferson, Georgia and a son, Jay Rickman and his wife Sarah who live in Cumming, Georgia. Family was very important to Royce and he enjoyed spending time with them. Shopping was another favorite pastime as were coaching and watching or attending various sporting events. He never met a stranger and would talk to anyone.

Royce Don Rickman left this life on February 28, 2017 at the age of 68 years and 4 days. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by two brothers, Wayne Rickman and his wife Jean of Orlando, Florida and Lynn Rickman and his wife Nancy of Savannah, Tennessee, two sisters, Diane Newell and her husband Jerry of Selmer, Tennessee and Rita Thomas and her husband Joe of Valdosta, Georgia, a sister-in-law, Joyce Rickman of Savannah, Tennessee, four grandchildren, Sydney Grace McCutcheon, Macey Claire McCutcheon, Anniston Kay Rickman, and Waverly Kate Rickman, 15 nieces and nephews and many former ball players.

In addition to his parents, Royce was preceded in death by his brother, Neal Rickman and a sister.