James W. Rickard, 46, U.S. Navy Veteran

James was born September 5, 1967 in Sandusky. He served in the U. S. Navy as a Data Processer Petty Officer 2nd Class deployed in the Persian Gulf during the war there.

James worked as a Computer Network Specialist for Defense Finance and Accounting Services in Cleveland for the past 20 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 118 in Amherst. James was an avid Browns fan. He enjoyed being involved with his children’s sports and coached Little League baseball.

He will be dearly missed by his wife of 17 years Lisa (née Montanez) Rickard of Elyria; sons Andre Visalden of Cleveland Heights and James C. Rickard at home; daughters Jacqueline Visalden and her husband Jay Moujib of Lorain and Jeanell Rickard at home; parents Peggy and Jay King of Valley City; his father Terry Rickard of Hot Springs, Arkansas; sisters Marquita Engle and her husband Steve of Milan, Kim Steible and her husband James of Sandusky, Niki Harris and her husband Steve of St. Charles, Illinois, Becky Yandell and her husband Sam of Hot Springs and Shevon Bennett of Elyria. James was preceded in death by his grandparents.

His family will receive friends Friday from 4 to 9 PM in the Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain. His funeral will be Saturday at 10 AM in the funeral home. Deacon Edgar Gonzalez of St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church will officiate. Burial will following Calvary Cemetery Lorain with military honors by the Amherst Military Honor Guard and Patriot Honor Guard.

Contributions may be made to the Jim Rickard Memorial Fund at any Key Bank.

For further information and sign online guest book, please see Reidyfuneral.com.