Jay Merrill Rickel

He passed from this life on June 13 2026 at his home. 
He was born October 16 1992 in Kingfisher, Ok. and shared his birthday with his niece, Karlee, who was born when Jay turned sixteen. He often said she was the best present he ever received.
His parents are Darlene (Clinkingbeard) Rickel and Merrill and Dorothy(Bowman) Rickel all of Blackwell. 
He attended Blackwall High School, played the timpani drum and had a paper route at that time. But the paper route was not his first job because at an early age he shadowed his dad in the heat and air busines. The goal for Jay was to see if he could get to the service truck first so he could start the engine. He liked handing his dad tools and picking them up but he did not like helping with the itchy insulation. There wasn't too much more work performed by Jay because on most days he could be found sleeping in the cab of the truck. 
As he reached adulthood he worked right alongside his dad in the business on and off over the years. Even though he was hardworking and earned his apprentice license he never grew to like helping with the insulation. He and his dad sometimes butted heads because Jay was determined to take a short cut or do something in an easier way rather than get the job done as his dad wanted. Sometimes he had a good idea and sometimes dad was right. 
Over the years, his jobs included working for KFC and driving a tractor for a local farmer.  In one stage of his life he desired to leave Blackwell so he moved with his aunt Jacqulyn, who was a traveling nurse. He, his aunt and cousins lived in Pooler, Georgia, Ottumwa, Iowa as well as Jupiter and Braxton, Florida. His jobs in these years included, working in the oil industry and as a pipe fitter. In Florida, he worked for Goodyear doing oil changes and tires. After returning to Blackwell about six years ago, he once again worked for his dad. He eventually found his niche at the Napa Parts Store in Blackwell and was there for 5 1/2 years. It was a good fit for Jay and he really enjoyed it as he learned the business well and fostered many loyal customers. 
He had varied interest growing up and liked to build things with Legos and Lincoln Logs. The swimming pool that his dad put up was a great pastime as well. As a youngster of 8 or 9 a favorite activity was terrorizing the neighbors by riding the mower which pulled a yard trailer up and down the alley, running it as fast as it would go over and over and over again. The alley was chosen because the police had told him he couldn't ride it in the street. 
His interests were also varied as an adult.  He really enjoyed working on vehicles of any type and would even buy and trade them, sometimes after he got them running again. Unfortunately, he didn't always come out ahead on the trades. He loved watching auctions on Purple Wave and if he knew you were looking for a car, truck, van, suv, motorcycle, lawn mower, or anything else you could count on many phone calls and text as he "helped you look." During several summers, he helped with the Turner Firework Stand and delighted, in the fact that he could blow things up legally. He enjoyed his tattoos and each one had a story behind it. He loved good times with friends around the bonfire or playing cornhole. He and a group of friends took a memorable trip floating down the Illinois river. 
Growing up Jay attended the Blackwell First Church of the Nazarene with his family. He went to church camp in Tishhamingo, , Ok. and on trips to 6 flags with the church youth. Growing up he wasn't a fan of his bright red hair and freckles but he became known for them around town. 
He got to see a lot of this country in the short time he had. Family vacations included road trips to Branson, Missouri and a visit to West Mineral, Kansas. There they saw Big Brutus, the largest electric coal mining shovel in the world. 
Train trips were taken to Estes Park, Colorado and the whole Rickle clan rode the Heartland Flyer to Fort Worth, Texas. Camping places included Kaw lake and Red Rock Canyon State Park. 
In the summer of 2017 he travelled with his best friend Joby Dewell to Geneva, Nebraska for a total solar eclipse. They met up with Merrill and Dorothy, and all had a picnic while watching the event. Other adventures included visiting LeClaire,  Iowa to see the store and property from the TV show American Pickers. There were also visits to Louisville Kentucky, St. Louis Missouri, New York, Wyoming,  Hollywood and San Francisco California, South Dakota and Fort Pulaski Georgia. He also explored the Florida Keys and crossed the Hoover Damn on the way to Las Vegas. 
He was always aware of those around him and concerned about what was going on in the community. 
He believed in our freedom to vote and kept up on the people and issues at each election. He enjoyed being a volunteer fire fighter in Braman, Oklahoma completing many training exercises and helping with their fundraisers. He truly had a servant's heart as many can attest to. He would do anything he could for anyone. It did not matter if he knew you for a long time, you were related or if you were the friend of a friend of a friend,  he was willing to help. During the ice storm of 2020 he took coffee to the linemen as they worked to restore power to our city. If you asked for help in moving he did not make excuses why he couldn't help as many do, he jumped in to lend a hand. He helped his mom Darlene, dad Merrill and step mom Dorothy with more things that could ever be listed as he was a faithful son. Always there especially when any of them were sick or had surgeries. He helped  Darlene through cancer and was invaluable when Merrill and Dorothy had knee surgery just two weeks apart. He often called pastor Josie with a prayer request he had seen or heard so they could pray together. The time of day or night did not matter, to Jay anyway, as he was concerned for friends and family who were sick or had just lost some one. If he said he was going to pray for you, he truly did pray for you. 
Jay met some of his life goals shortly before his death by paying off his Harley and his house. He was also buying something that he always wanted, a Dodge flatbed diesel pickup with a Cummings Turbo engine. He took much pride in the fact that he could roll coal in it all the way down main street. 
Remaining to cherish his memory are his dad Merrill and stepmom Dorothy of Blackwell, Oklahoma. Mom Darlene Rickel of Blackwell Oklahoma. Sister Amber,  brother in law Jeff, niece Karlee and nephew Gabriel Paige of Perkins, Oklahoma. Grandma Barbara Rickel of Weatherford Oklahoma. Many aunts and uncles which include Terry Clinkingbeard, Jacqulyn Simms, Carolyn and Larry Starks, Angela and Larry Chermack. Brian Rickel and Tim and Diane Rickel. Also many cousins on both sides of his family. 
He is preceded in death by grandfather Charles M.  Rickel. Grandparents Jack and Velma Clinkingbeard. Two aunts, Terry Rickel and Marsha Clinkingbeard. One uncle Rick Simms.
A memorial service will be held to honor his life on July 11th 2026 at 2 pm in the Blackwell First Church of the Nazarene 218 South A street Blackwell Oklahoma, with Pastor Josie Busby officiating. Visitation time will follow until 5 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you give a donation to the Bramen volunteer fire department.
PO BOX 48 
Braman, Ok. 74632.

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