Ricky Lee Lancaster's Obituary
Ricky Lancaster passed away and went to be with his Lord and Savior, Friday, July 21, 2017. Rick was born September 11, 1961, at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland, to Gerald and Dee Lancaster. Rick was sixteen months old when his dad was discharged from U.S. Marines Corps. It was then that the family moved to Dallas, Texas, to be close to Gerald’s family. Rick was an active little boy, who loved to have ventriloquism and puppet shows. He had a love of music and played the drums. He enjoyed leading backyard Bible studies with neighborhood children. He graduated from Arts Magnet HS in 1979, where he was active in theatre and drama. After high school, he attended Eastfield College, worked for Radio Shack, and joined the Air Force in 1982. After leaving the Air Force, he worked for a Law Firm in Dallas. He attended Howard Payne University, from 1987-1991, where he was active in the Delta Pi Fraternity and won various appreciation awards. Rick graduated, in 1991, with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Religious Education. In the fall of 1991, he was accepted at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to work on his Master’s Degree in Religious Education with an emphasis on youth ministry. While working full-time and attending seminary for two years, knowing it would take him another four years to complete his masters, he decided on a career in the computer technology field, yet he always kept his love for God and the ministry in his heart. He still performed wedding ceremonies, several memorial services, and the spreading ashes of friends. In 2001, he went to California to visit a high school friend, Dean Zalazny, to seek employment. He was hired by Greater Bay Bank Corp, in the IT department. He enjoyed working with his co-workers and loved his boss Carol. However, in 2005, Rick felt called to come back to Dallas to be close to family. He wanted to be closer to his young nephews, Bryce and Blain, to see them grow up. Upon his return, he was employed by Crump Companies. He worked in the IT department, where he received Employee of Month Awards and other types of recognition from the company. His most recent position was with L3, in Rockwall, Texas, where he had many friends and a close coworker of his, named Lucky. In 2014, he received an award for his competent technical skills and commitment to excellence in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in an Afghanistan Mission. Although Rick received many accolades in his career, he felt most proud of the work he did in ministry. He was the drummer for his Church The New World Praise Team Music Group for over 12 years. He loved the praise team and all his friends at New World. He will be deeply missed by his church family and friends. Rick is survived by his dad, Gerald Lancaster, his mother, Dee Lancaster; his brother, Randy Lancaster; his sister-in-law, Tammy Lancaster, and nephews, Blain Lancaster, Bryce Lancaster, and Bryce’s Fiancé’ Kathryn Ehlers; several aunts, uncles, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Rowlett Animal Shelter or New World United Methodist Church Music Ministry. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, July 27, 2017 at the New World United Methodist Church, 5134 NW Highway, Garland, TX.
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