Ricky Lee Weber was born on July 13, 1950, in Houston, Missouri. The Lord welcomed him home on March 12, 2025.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Delvin and Fern; his brother Bob; his sister Peggy; and his daughter Shonna.
He is survived by his wife Arleta; daughters Jenny (Roland) and Shelia (Bobby); grandchildren Ashley (Coby), Dalton, Lexis, Brian, Rachel (and family), and Kaylynn (and family); great-grandchildren Estella, Amelia, Thatcher, and Collins; sister-in-law Rhonda; and a host of other family and friends.
Rick married the love of his life, Arleta, on June 11, 1988, sharing a partnership marked by affection, adventure, and unwavering dedication.
A man who loved to serve others, Rick joined the U.S. Army Reserves right out of high school. He went on to work for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City and later traveled for a construction job that would take him on regular visits to Gulf Shores – it would become one of his favorite places to visit on vacation. He was never one to be idle, and even after his retirement filled his time by mowing yards (he didn’t charge – he just showed up and got to work) and helped operate the Snack in a Pack program for Plato students through Roby Baptist Church, where he was baptized and became a member on October 14, 1990.
He was drawn to old cars, especially his 1966 Charger, and he enjoyed spontaneous trips in the Charger for Mexican food and margaritas. He loved all kinds of travel, and family trips to Silver Dollar City were a highlight, including an impromptu vow renewal in the Little Chapel.
A true sports fan, he’d watch any ball game that was on, but his favorites were all of the times he got to see (and critique) his daughter and granddaughters on the basketball court. He was loyal to the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, well before they were champions. Even while battling his illness, he was determined to get out of the hospital in time to see the Chiefs in the most recent Super Bowl.
Rick had an old soul. He enjoyed woodworking, solving puzzles, and relaxing by the fire pit. He loved listening to Willie’s Roadhouse and had two signature songs he never passed up a chance to sing: “Hey, Joe!” and “Boney Fingers.” He was also a connoisseur of old Western movies; in fact, the most giving man you could ever meet only ever struggled to share when it came to the remote and he was watching Grit.
He was a man of simple pleasures and deep joys: You would find him happy with just a plate of spam and eggs and a day spent fishing on the river. Rick loved to fish… really loved to fish! He’d take anyone who wanted to go and would always be the one to bring lunch, sit in the back, and spend the day working to paddle the boat making sure everyone had the best possible day.
Maybe the only thing Rick loved more than being in a boat on the river was spending time with his family. He loved getting together for family dinners – whether he was barbequing or frying fish. And family game nights were sacred, with Mexican Dominoes and Spades as the games of choice. A ruthless master at Spades, he could practically read and predict your hand and made every game enjoyable. In the end, he would say that the only thing he’d miss when he was gone was his family; a testament to just how special of a life he built.
Selfless to the core, tough as nails, a hard worker, and always up for an adventure, Rick kept himself busy, often saying, “I can sleep when I’m dead.” But it’s hard to imagine him sleeping, and easier to picture him in heaven casting a line out onto the water or dealing out a deck of cards.
Honorary Pallbearers are Eddie Morrison, Darrell Thomas, Andy Justice, Jason Humphrey, Mike Humphrey, and Carl Stenger.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Palace Cemetery.
