Clifton Harper Rick was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was a dedicated athlete, playing all sports at Holy Family Catholic School. He received a full scholarship playing linebacker at Iowa State University — playing on the legendary “Dirty Thirty” team of 1959.
Cliff entered the USMC cadet program, playing football on the USMC-Navy Goshawks team. He got his flight wings and flew jets, the A-4D Skyhawk and numerous other aircraft, and made carrier landings. After six years of service in the USMC he was hired by Continental Airlines as a commercial airline pilot. He also flew for PSA and retired from US Airways in 1999.
Cliff is survived by his spouse Jacklyn Milin Rick; son Darren Duane Rick; his Brother George Rick Jr. of Bryan Texas and sister Muriel Rick Turinsky of Dallas Texas; and numerous relatives across the USA. He was predeceased by his son Jason Rick, his parents George and Winnie Rick, and sisters Mary Newton and Celeste Hahn.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Port Townsend Food Bank, the Michael Fox Parkinson Foundation or St. Vincent de Paul at your local church.
The funeral is being managed by Kosec Funeral Home and funeral plans are by invitation only at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Port Townsend, Washington, at a future date.
