Rickie Lee Zehner

On Thursday, May 23, 2024, Rickie Lee Zehner, loving husband and father of four children, two stepsons and thirteen grandchildren, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, at the age of 72.  Rick was born on April 23, 1952, in Tipton, Indiana.

After graduating high school, Rick joined the Air Force on February 20, 1974. He served for 20 years and received an honorable discharge on February 28, 1994.  He served four years in Germany and was also stationed in the Philippines and Taiwan.  After retiring from the Air Force, he decided to start a second career in law enforcement and worked another 15 years at the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department in Stockton, California.  He retired in 2013 and moved to McKinney, Texas and then to Arlington, Texas in 2015.

He was a caring, loving husband, father, and grandfather.  He had a knack for being able to make you laugh through his quick wit.   Rick had a strong faith in the Lord, and joined St. John Lutheran Church in Mansfield in September 2015.  He was involved in a couples small group, where many memories were made, and he loved monthly men’s breakfast with friends.  He was a member of the security team, was on rotation as a greeter, and always eager and willing to help.  He loved life, traveling, always looking forward to the next adventure.

Rick was preceded in death by his father, Oral, mother, Alfredia, and son Shannon Zehner.  He is survived by his wife, Julie, his four children, Casey (husband Mike, son and daughter, Hunter and Amelia); Jaime (daughter Mackenzie); Chastity, (son Zac, daughter Kaylee); and Brian, (wife Amie, son Caleb) and two stepsons, Chris (wife Reina, daughters, Kennedy and Reagan); and Brandon (wife Cassie, their five children, Kayden, Aubrey, Max, Harper and Wyatt);  his three sisters, Peggy, Janet and Teresa; one brother Dannie; an Aunt and Uncle, Bill and Rita Thompson, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In his honor, donations to St. John Lutheran Church or Tunnel to Towers will be graciously accepted in lieu of flowers.