Obituary for Richard Alan "Rick" Paris
Richard “Rick” “Ricky” A. Paris, 70, quietly passed away at home unexpectedly on Saturday, April 16, 2022, his loving wife Nancy (Kells) by his side. They had shared more than 48 wonderful years together and he will always be her sunshine.
Rick was born on November 1, 1951 to the late Albert and Marilyn (Miller) Paris in Fort Dix. A 1969 Reading High School graduate, Rick soon travelled - Go West or Bust! - and eventually stayed with family in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Out to The Pendulum Club to see the band Ram Rock, Nancy met the cute drummer…they were married a year later.
Settling in Appleton, Rick next played with The Catalinas. He left them to join Ray Adam’s & Co. to go on a Midwest tour, 1976-1979. Rick and Nancy also spent time in California, visited friends and family across the US, met Tom Jones (a really nice guy!), finished by playing three months in Ketchikan, Alaska and had a surprise cross-country visit from his parents! Rick often joked, “I have a good memory- it’s just short!”, but regularly enjoyed sharing his readily recalled stories of long ago.
Returning to his hometown of Reading in 1979, they soon settled in Blandon and raised their daughter, Lindsay. She added four beloved grandchildren to their family: Brody, Dallas, Madison, and Sophia, who all brought him great joy!
Rick was a drummer for 45 years, a musician for life. He squeezed an accordion at age 6, crashed cymbals with flare in the RHS Marching Band and later played keyboards. Self taught after buying a drum set in his teens, Rick was influenced by his idols: The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Rick was an original and lasting member of ‘Flame’, 1979-2009, named after his iconic stunt: lighting his drums on fire! Right in his bass drum was his favorite sidekick, Mickey Mouse.
In Sales and Delivery, Rick was employed for many years at Rentschler‘s Bakery, Evans Snacks and finally at Clover Farms. He began as a route driver and finished in the plant before early retirement, December 2017, after 20 years.
An Eagles and Phillies fan forever, Rick also followed the Sixers and GB Packers thanks to Nancy. He loved holidays and how she decorated their house each Season! Rick grew more patriotic over the years and had always liked American Eagles. Other pastimes included shooting pool, watching NASCAR, and having cookouts with family and friends – miss those hockey pucks!
Rick was such a friendly, likable, caring, funny, loving husband, father, pop pop, brother, uncle, and friend. He is also survived by his sisters: Nancy Hodge, Beth Katzenmoyer, and Jayne Paris Dynda; and an extended family of nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He will be so very much missed but is now an angel to all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 1st, 2022, 1:00pm at Kuhn funeral Home, Kutztown Road, after family visitation from 11am-1pm. A Gathering to Remember Rick will then follow at Giannotti‘s on Pricetown Road.
Contributions may be made in Rick’s memory to St Jude’s Research Hospital.
Kuhn Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc Temple is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com
Rick was born on November 1, 1951 to the late Albert and Marilyn (Miller) Paris in Fort Dix. A 1969 Reading High School graduate, Rick soon travelled - Go West or Bust! - and eventually stayed with family in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Out to The Pendulum Club to see the band Ram Rock, Nancy met the cute drummer…they were married a year later.
Settling in Appleton, Rick next played with The Catalinas. He left them to join Ray Adam’s & Co. to go on a Midwest tour, 1976-1979. Rick and Nancy also spent time in California, visited friends and family across the US, met Tom Jones (a really nice guy!), finished by playing three months in Ketchikan, Alaska and had a surprise cross-country visit from his parents! Rick often joked, “I have a good memory- it’s just short!”, but regularly enjoyed sharing his readily recalled stories of long ago.
Returning to his hometown of Reading in 1979, they soon settled in Blandon and raised their daughter, Lindsay. She added four beloved grandchildren to their family: Brody, Dallas, Madison, and Sophia, who all brought him great joy!
Rick was a drummer for 45 years, a musician for life. He squeezed an accordion at age 6, crashed cymbals with flare in the RHS Marching Band and later played keyboards. Self taught after buying a drum set in his teens, Rick was influenced by his idols: The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Rick was an original and lasting member of ‘Flame’, 1979-2009, named after his iconic stunt: lighting his drums on fire! Right in his bass drum was his favorite sidekick, Mickey Mouse.
In Sales and Delivery, Rick was employed for many years at Rentschler‘s Bakery, Evans Snacks and finally at Clover Farms. He began as a route driver and finished in the plant before early retirement, December 2017, after 20 years.
An Eagles and Phillies fan forever, Rick also followed the Sixers and GB Packers thanks to Nancy. He loved holidays and how she decorated their house each Season! Rick grew more patriotic over the years and had always liked American Eagles. Other pastimes included shooting pool, watching NASCAR, and having cookouts with family and friends – miss those hockey pucks!
Rick was such a friendly, likable, caring, funny, loving husband, father, pop pop, brother, uncle, and friend. He is also survived by his sisters: Nancy Hodge, Beth Katzenmoyer, and Jayne Paris Dynda; and an extended family of nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He will be so very much missed but is now an angel to all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 1st, 2022, 1:00pm at Kuhn funeral Home, Kutztown Road, after family visitation from 11am-1pm. A Gathering to Remember Rick will then follow at Giannotti‘s on Pricetown Road.
Contributions may be made in Rick’s memory to St Jude’s Research Hospital.
Kuhn Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc Temple is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com