Craig Anthony Ricke

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Alva Wesleyan Church, with Pastor Paul Kirk officiating. Burial will follow in the Alva Municipal Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Alva. Visitation with family present will be Monday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Craig Anthony Ricke, 52, of Alva, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 12, 2026. He was a gentle giant, friendly, and kind. He was the person his family and his colleagues could count on. Craig was born June 27, 1974, in Enid, OK, to Melvin Lee and Nina Joyce (Horn) Ricke. He was raised in Aline alongside his sister, Crystal, and graduated from Aline-Cleo High School with the Class of 1992. He went on to Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Computer Science with a minor in Accounting, and then he stayed, for 30 years, building his career there as Director of Information Technology. On September 9, 2006, Craig married Jaime Denise Bushman at the Hopeton Wesleyan Church. Together they raised two children, Tatum and Trendon, and grounded their family in faith, worshiping first at Hopeton Wesleyan and later at the Alva Wesleyan Church. Craig was a wonderful husband and a devoted father. Steady, trustworthy, and unshakably loyal, he was the kind of man who made the people around him feel supported and safe. Jaime, Tatum, and Trendon were Craig’s most important priorities. Both children played a variety of sports and Craig was always in the stands. He spent countless hours catching their pitches and throwing batting practice. He and his family traveled frequently, enjoying many awesome experiences. He was a great helpmate to Jaime in building her accounting business and keeping the house and family operating smoothly. Craig was happiest with something in his hands. He loved woodworking and could fix anything. He was forever in the middle of refurbishing the family’s home or one of his rental homes. Craig and his father always had a project and enjoyed working together. As Tatum & Trendon grew, he loved teaching them these skills. Craig is survived by his wife, Jaime Ricke, his daughter, Tatum, and his son, Trendon, all of Alva; his parents, Melvin and Nina Ricke of Aline; his sister, Crystal Harmon and her husband, James, of Enid; his in-laws, Dennis and Sheri Bushman of Alva; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Tatum & Trendon Ricke Scholarship Fund or the Alva Wesleyan Church Building Fund.

Craig Anthony Ricke

June 27, 1974 - August 12, 2026