Jack K. Ricker
Concord - Jack K. Ricker, age 23, of Chesterfield Drive passed away on Saturday May 25, 2013 at his home.
He was born in Exeter, NH to Walter and Kim (Lyden) Ricker of Concord. He attended Concord Elementary and Middle Schools and then went on to be a graduate of Bishop Brady High School class of 2008, he attended Daniel Webster College and was currently enrolled at Utah Valley for Aviation Management.
Jack received his Pilot's license when he was 17. He enjoyed flying, hiking, fishing, camping, riding his motorcycle, parachuting, and spending time with his nephew Liam as well as his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Jack is survived by his sister, Molly Ricker of Concord, a nephew, Liam Ricker of Concord, His maternal grandmother Molly Manter of Concord, his paternal Grandparents, Barbara Rollins and her companion Don Perkins of Farmington, Walter Ricker and his wife Lorraine of Limerick, ME; Aunts and Uncles, Linda Rousseau and her husband Dick of Barnstead, Kay Lyden of Las Vegas, NV, Jackie Lyden and her husband Danny Paris of Gilmanton, Juanita Elliott and her husband Robert of Farmington, Pamela Bouchard and her husband Jerry of Ossipee, NH and Bonnie Burliegh of Farmington; many cousins, and close friends.
Memorial visiting hours will be held on Friday May 31 from 4-7 PM at the Waters Funeral Home, 50 South Main Street, Concord.
A memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 1st at 2 PM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church 180 Loudon Road, Concord.
A celebration of life reception will follow.
As an energetic, eager child, Jack always had a way to make people laugh and to earn their admiration. He would have a full presentation prepared whenever he needed to ask for something and was always thinking ahead. He loved Boy Scouts, Navy Sea Cadets, robotics, fishing, karate and baseball. He played baseball with the Concord Rec. Dept., Granite Heat, and BB High School. He joined People to People when he was 14 and traveled around Europe as a student ambassador. Jack spent several years at ACE camp until his final year in 2007 when he became a Junior Counselor.
Jack's love for flying came early. He attended many airshows with his Dad, family and friends. At a very young age he got behind the controls of the plane and began to fly. In order to earn his flight time, he would hang around the Concord Airport until he was finally old enough for them to hire him to fill the planes with fuel. He also visited with the mechanics at JBI helicopters everyday after school until the owner decided that they may as well hire him. He helped the crew save the "Hood Blimp", worked in the cranberry bogs on the Cape, and flew with the racecar drivers to the speedway. Jack spent time volunteering with WJYY where his sister, Molly, was an intern. He met Nazzy who began teaching him the tools of the DJ trade. He began DJing at the age of 15.
Jack's "need for speed" and adventure wasn't only in the plane. He loved motorcycling, parachuting, zip lining, snowboarding, hiking, hunting, boating, four wheeling, He road his motorcycle to school until he dumped it while showing off in the parking lot and wasn't allowed to bring it back. His first parachuting dive was with his Uncle Dick. He went zip lining in Mexico with his friend Anthony and while in Vancouver on one of his many cross-country trips with his friend Nick. Jack worked 3 seasons at Pats Peak in order to earn flight money and free snowboarding. At 17 years old (the minimum age for licensing), Jack earned his wings. Jack began an aviation club at his high school, Bishop Brady and a parachuting club at DWC. After being accepted to many aviation colleges, Westminster, Embry Riddle, Jacksonville, and more, he decided to stay closer to home and attend Daniel Webster College in Nashua and studied Aviation Management. Jack's love for travel and flying couldn't keep him home year round so he spent a couple of winter seasons in Florida to spend more time flying and earning his ratings. He decided to continue his college studies at Utah Valley on-line in order to accommodate the change of seasons. Jack did everything to the maximum. Anything there was a license for, Jack pursued. His current employment was more like a place to gather with friends, His work at UNO Restaurant in Concord is where he waited on customers, bartended, and DJed at night. But mostly where he enjoyed spending time with his work family.

Jack's most recent pursuit was to climb all the NH mountains, teach his nephew Liam to fly, and spend joyful time with his many friends and proud , loving family. He planned to begin the task of creating a school for young pilots in NH. Jack will always be known as a man full of life, experience and the gift to make others smile. His contagious smile, laugh and selfless acts will live on in the lives of the many people he encountered in his short but wonderful life.

There is so much more to know about Jack Ricker. His family's hope is that his friends and colleagues will keep sharing the many stories about Jack for years to come because in his 23 years, he creating a century of events, accomplishments, and laughter.