Obituary of Shawn William Ricker

Shawn William Ricker left this earth and began his flight among the heavenly angels on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at the age of 52. Shawn was born in Nashville on March 19, 1971 and was a happy and welcomed addition to his parents Barbara and John Ricker and older brother Eric Ricker, respectively.                                                                                             
Shawn graduated from McGavock High School and worked a variety of vocations until his passing. He was an exceptionally skilled mason, served as security for local businesses, and most recently he enjoyed driving around town in his new pickup truck and helping businesses rid themselves of scrap metals.                                                                        

Shawn was best known for being warm, gentle, unassuming, and never without the humorous off-colored comment or joke. He loved to make people feel good and laugh. Friends and family could often find Shawn sitting on the front porch of his childhood home “watching the world go by.” Shawn had a worldly understanding and a knowing of people, their needs  and why they behaved as they did. Some might wonder how someone with such humble beginnings might have arrived at such a resolve. At the tender age of 9, Shawn was involved in a horrific home fire that nearly cost him his life and left him with scars covering his body followed by years of painful surgeries. Shawn’s eldest and only brother Eric helped to save Shawn’s life during the fire. The two brothers have since remained very close and Shawn often traveled to Florida to visit his brother Eric and his family. Shawn loved his family and his friends. He was especially fond of his three “beautiful nieces” and “nerdy and silly” great nephews. Every extra dollar Shawn made, he spent on others, rather than himself. He was a giver. Shawn would give you a piece of his mind too, ready or not! Undeniably, Shawn’s early life experiences shaped his view of himself and of others around him. He learned valuable and difficult lessons from life and made efforts to impart his sage learnings with anyone curious and wise enough to listen. Shawn enjoyed his new truck, visiting with people, listening to classic rock, and enjoying quality time with his family and especially his great nephews.

Visitation services for Shawn’s friends and family will be held on Friday January 26, 2024 from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm with funeral service to follow at 5:00 pm at Sellars Funeral Home 2229 N. Mt. Juliet Rd. Mt. Juliet, TN 37122.                               
Donations for the family to help with funeral expenses may be addressed to Shawn’s mother, Barbara Ricker and may be provided to any member of Shawn’s immediate family. Shawn is preceded in death by his father John W. Ricker.  He is survived by his mother Barbara L. Ricker; brother Eric L. Ricker, wife Arelia Ricker, and niece Madyson Ricker; niece Sydney H. Bedenbaugh, husband Will Bendenbaugh, and his great nephews who he adored Colt and Lawson Bedenbaugh; niece Brittany L. Schroeder and husband Will Schroeder; and countless other family, friends, and neighbors.                                                                                                                                                                                         
Shawn’s mother Barbara Ricker wishes to again extend her thanksgivings and gratitudes to the staff and congregation of the Hermitage Hills Baptist Church who assisted the family with a variety of needs during Shawn’s recovery from the house fire. Shawn would like to thank “all the pretty girls” at the dialysis clinic who helped take good care of him until his final days. The family wishes to thank everyone who has reached out to offer support and condolences during our tender time of grief.

Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet, 2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818, www.sellarsfuneralservices.com.