Clifford E. ‘Gene’ Rickett, 87, of Hutchinson, passed away March 5, 2020, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born August 13, 1932, in Arlington, to Clifford J. and Eva Clarice (Heller) Rickett.
Gene graduated from Arlington High School in 1950, and studied electronics at Devry Technical Institute and mechanical engineering at ICS. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Gene was a production manager for many years at CESSNA before he retired. He enjoyed painting and various kinds of outdoor work. Gene was a member of First United Methodist Church, Hutchinson.
On December 13, 1957, he married Verna Arliene Sitton, in Arlington. They shared 54 years together before she passed on August 25, 2012.
Gene is survived by: son, Greg Rickett (Susan, South Hutchinson; daughter, Carolyn (Mario) Kidd, Hutchinson; grandchildren, Mark (Jessica) Gregg, and Keith (Tamara) Gregg, Hutchinson, Zach Rickett (Christina, Bel-Aire, and Megan (Dan) Delzer, Bentley; great- grandchildren, Cassidy, Emily, Brittany, and Zoey Gregg, Hutchinson, Kylie Gregg, Hutchinson, and Preston and Madison Delzer, Bentley; sister, Norma Linscheid, Wichita; and sisters-in-law, Marge Rickett, Wichita, and Karen Rickett, Hutchinson.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Verna Rickett; daughter, Sharon Wooten; brothers, Ken and Bob Rickett; and sister, JoAnn Ray.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2020, at Elliott Mortuary, with Pastor Mic McGuire officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.