Aaron Lee Ricker, Sr. “Wakiá-Hunska” ( Tall Thunderbird) age 54, was born on August 10, 1965 to Peggy Ricker and the late Aaron Martin in Poplar, MT. He left us on August 16, 2019 at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point, MT.
Aaron was a king hearted man and never spoke a bad word about anyone. He gave his children the best guidance and advice, he really loved his 5 sons and 2 daughters and his 9 grandkids.
Aaron really loved his firefighting career and spoke of his many friends he met on the line. Aaron was brave and courageous, and had what it takes to be a wild land firefighter. The many fires he was deployed to gave him the time and experience to rise up to the position as crew boss. He was deployed to Houston to search for the flight data recorder when the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster happened.
Aaron is survived by his mother Peggy Ricker; his brother Jerry Shawl; 2 sisters Patsy Ricker of Great Falls, MT and Shannon Lindsay of California; his adopted brothers Nathan Chasing Horse, Duke Dionne and Barney Blessinger; aunts Germaine Brady of New Town, ND, Delilah Martin of Connell, WA, Barbara Fast Horse of Wolf Point, MT, Donna Ricker of Devils Lake, ND and Laurie Japp of Wolf Point, MT; his uncles Jiggs Ricker of Wolf Point, MT and Tommy Christian of Poplar, MT; step children, Myana, Tara, and Marquez Red Dog.
He is preceded in death by his father, Aaron Martin; his brothers, Arlon Ricker and Danny Lindsay, Jr.; his grandparents, Bob and Margaret Martin and Joe Ricker and Helen Le’Caine; aunts Betty Ricker, Roberta Martin and Jackie Perry; uncles Ronnie Martin, Bonsy Christian and Lucky Christian; grandson Ares Ricker; his companion, Jannica White Tail who he adored and loved, even in his sick days he tried his best to care for her, as she was sick to. They showed a lot of love to each other and their kids.
Last but not least his dog Dachshund “Louie” whom Aaron really loved.
Tyger Ricker says
Dear Dad, you’ve had your ups and downs in your life but you were still my dad, I am your blood and soul and I’m happy you I got to be a part of my life. I am going to forever miss you and love beyond words can imagine. Things are going to be different without seeing you at grandmas anymore, I miss you so much dad and this feeling of hurt sucks.. I love you ol’man more than you’ll ever know
Tara red dog says
Aaron u have been a good man to me and my mom and I know now that you’re going to be Happy with my mom. I’ll miss u Aaron
Peggy Ricker says
My son Aaron,
I miss you so much, I cried a million tears when you left me. I go in your room and see all your things and my heart breaks into a million pieces. It’s been really lonesome here with you and Jannica gone, But I know you are both pain free now and your with grandpa Joe and your brothers now. I will never forget you my son and I get happy knowing when my time is up I will see you again, So hold that curtain open for me my son. Mama cries for you everyday.
All my love my son Aaron
Mama Peggy 🖤
Reuben Swift Eagle says
My brother, I wish I can be there. I will miss you. You always were full of humor. If we weren’t laughing we were chillin. Until we meet again. You will be missed.
Marcella Grey Bull says
My dear son in law Aaron
It’s hard to know you left this world as well..we Loved you like our own..Thank you so much for everything you have done for Jannica n the kids..May Grandfather walk you both into Paradise to be with all relatives.. We’ll all Love n Miss you too..
Marcella Grey Bull says
To our son-in-law,Aaron..
Our Love and hugs to all your family from all of us..Thank you for being the man you are and took care of my Girl, Jannica and kids..words cannot express my gratitude to you..May Grandfather walk with you both into Paradise.. We’ll all Love and miss you too..
Joel and Marcella GB
Joel & Marcella Grey Bull says
To our son-in-law Aaron,
Words cannot express how much we were saddened by you leaving as well! I am sure Grateful to you for being a great guy and taking care of my Girl, Jannica and kids..they Love so much too..May Grandfather walk with you both into Paradise to be with families.. Together forever.. We’ll always Love and miss you both til we meet again..Fly hi and R.I.P.
Rachael Ann Martin-BlueEarth says
Uncle Aaron ,
Gunna miss you going to be with my dad jack Douglas Martin and Arnold Fasthorse And joey Muniz missing all you guys hearing u guys joke around and eveything a lot of thing are different now but I know OUR FAMILY IS STRONG ENOUGH TO GET THROUGH THESE HARD TIMES LOVE YOU ALL MY FAMILY I STILL THINK OF ALL YOU LOVE U UNCLE SEE YOU LATER. OCHO
Jeff Bjaranson says
Aaron My Brother, I Was Saddened Today When I Received News of Your Passing. Strangely Enough, When My Phone Popped Up With an Attachment From Patsy I Instantly Knew What it Was. It’s Been 35 Years My Friend Since Last We’ve Seen One Another, but You’ve Visited My Thoughts Many Times Over These Years. You Were 2 Years My Senior and I Always Admired You as A Role Model and Thought of You Like The Big Brother I Never Had. I May Have Even Tried To Emulate Some of Your Traits That Helped Shape Me Into The Man That I Became. You Had The Perfect Balance of Pride Without Arrogance, Which Hastened Me To Research My Own Choctaw, Chickasaw, & Shawnee Heritage. In The Age of The Me-Me-Me-Attitude, You Were Selfless and Shared All That You Had, Even if It Meant Going Without Yourself. Your Generosity Was Legendary, Above & Beyond. I Took Lessons When it Came To, How To Treat The Ladies. While Others Around Us Were Virtually Clueless, You Were Busy Trying To Refine Every Detail. The Others Were Churning Thru The Girls and Fighting Amongst Themselves & Each Other. You Loyally & Reservedly Picked The Prettiest Girl in School & Amidst The Chaos of Teenagerdom, You Were A Rock Star. While Most of The Others Were Showing Us What Not to Do – You Seemed to Have The Instruction Manual. Your Big Heart and Graciousness Did Not Get In The Way of Your Brave Boldness. It’s No Surprise That You Went for The Hardcore of Hardcore of Career Choices – Wildland Fire Fighter Crew Boss – That’s BadAss!! I Think You May Have Wore Off on Me Bra! – I Spent 19 yrs. As A Bering Sea King Crabber Deck Boss, Birds of a Feather! Anyways Brother I Will Do My Best To Make Your Service, but I Can’t Promise, Got 5 Hernias From Throwing Those 800 lb. CrabPots Around and in Need of Surgery. You Left Quite A Legacy With Seven Kids and Nine GrandBabies – Wow! That’s Awesome! If Each One Got Just One Good Trait of Yours, The World Will Be A Better Place. You Will Live On Thru Them – For What We Do In Life – Echos In Eternity! Walk Tall and Proud With Your Ancestors and Blessed Be. Your Friend, Jeff Bjaranson
Spencer Grandchamp says
Dad,
You’ll always be a Father to me, no matter what. You were there for my siblings for 12 years and I couldn’t be more thankful. You were always so nice and caring to us and did what you had to for us kids. You took us in with no remorse and I’d like to thank you for that. I’m glad you’re in a better place now, pain free and healthy up there. I love you, Dad. I will see you again one day.
CariJo says
Hey Aaron…
Made my heart break wen I got the news of u passing after ur Love passed away. I’m glad I got to know u…u are a big hearted kind soul and u showed everyone that u are a fighter and a gud father especially to the lil ones. My heart goes out to ALL of the babies. Wen I herd that morning the first thing I prayed for was strength for ur Mother bcuz I know the heartache she is goin thru. U won’t be in anymore pain n such and b able to c everyone wen u get there.?.can u please give Danny a hug for me…watch over Jerry gud he guna need it. I shall c u on the side sum day soon guna miss seeing u and ur lady’s faces around. Til then Ur their Angel Now
A fren of the family
My Prayers and Condolences to the family
CariJo
Rhonda Mason says
Dear cousin Peggy, sorry to hear about your loss. Prayers that our Creator lift your heart and give you strength.
Kaylynn says
Grandauter kaylynn and son zayne says
We both miss you so much dad,i will never forget you
. You will always be by my side and i will always be by yours forever i love you dad you were the best when i look in your room all your stuff still there i just wanna break down in a million tears. But i know to always stay strong dad. I will never ever forget you dad just know you will always be in our hearts no matter what i love you dad im glad your pain free you and jannica i love you guys 💖💖
Ebony says
Uncle, my heart has been so heavy since I heard the news. I’m so full of regret because I wasn’t there with you during this time. I miss you so much already, it hurts so bad. You made my school days tolerable and my summer ones enjoyable. Whether we spent the day at the park, pool, crab apple picking, on the court or on a trip I was always so proud to be seen with you. Everyone would fuss about your truck so you know I just had to brag, “yeah, that’s my uncles truck.” Ever since i’ve been in California i’ve always gotten excited over and pointed out every titan I see. Anytime someone would ask me what my dream car is i’d say “a white nissan titan.” You’re the closest thing to a father i’ve had growing up, you always took such good care of me. Never let me go hungry, always was there when I needed emotional support. I can’t believe you’re really gone. I miss your jokes. My favorite one is when you’d always tell me to make you some gritz and fried chicken, hot sauce, pigs feet, etc. Or when you’d turn the lights off and say “Where’d Ebony go” or “I can only see your eyeballs and teeth.” I’d always run from you when i was younger because you would pick me up and crack my toes, it always started with me screaming and ended with me laughing. You left to soon uncle. I should’ve hugged you tighter the last time i saw you.. Going home will never be the same. Man I can’t imagine how my cousins are feeling. Or my grandma. I know you’re in a better place and all but this is so hard for me. I’m so glad I got to spend 14 years creating memories with you. It was never “Uncle Aaron” always just “Uncle.” Watch over us uncle. That sentence doesn’t sound right.. i’m still having a hard time accepting all of this. I love you with my entire heart uncle,
Ebony
Kimberlee Kaul says
So sorry to hear about Aaron…….
My name is Kimberlee Kaul. I was a Warrenton High School classmate, we hung out a few times, and he took me to a few dances we had in high school. He was Class of 1984 and I was Class of 1985.
My thoughts of Aaron was he was extremely kind, funny, thoughtful, a gentleman, and all at the same time shy, too….I never saw Aaron after he graduated from Warrenton High School which was about 35 years ago.
A mutual friend posted on Facebook that Aaron passed back in August of this year (2019). Life has just flown by and it was sad news to hear and for our classmates to lose another Warrenton Warrior.
Reading his obituary, looks like he had a nice life with all his children and grandbabies; what a blessing to have. Aaron probably had the hardest job ever being a fire fighter on the front line, only the BRAVE do that job!
It gives me a heavy heart of wondering why God takes people so soon, Aaron passed to young and in my eyes I still see a very young man……I am sure he will be watching over his family and will be their angel to them all.
I remember Aaron had a little sister Patricia Ricker (Patty or Patsy) who went to school with us here in Warrenton Oregon and she was a sweetheart too….hope she is well and ok.
My condolences to his entire family to lose a son, father, brother, husband, uncle, granddaddy….it’s a hard time to accept and you never forget.
RIP Aaron!
Jessica N. Brown says
To the Family- of Aaron Ricker
I am so sorry for your loss; words cannot express the sadness and lonesome feelings that you are all going through; I knew Aaron he was a good hearted person and he gave everything he had to someone in need and his love was beyond measure. and to his Mother Peggy I am sorry for your loss in this time prayers to you and his children and family.
Son zayne says
Dad i will aways miss you in my heart even though its been four years now an im still heart-broken but i know i have to move on now but now grandmas gone and life has been tough ever since buy
Zayne says
Dad it hurts to know your really gone I look at all of your stuff and cry but I know you’re in a better place now and pain free with jannica but I will see you again not soon or later but someday you’ll see me so hold the curtains like grandma said I miss you really much love your baby Zayne
Lynne Petersen says
Aaron, Patsy, and Shannon have been in my thoughts and offered prayers since Union Lake. It was a hard time. They were just babies, really. I am thankful he was so loved-and loving in return, that he grew to be a man of substance. He and the girls will be forever in my heart.