James (Jim) G. Ricketts, 83, of Scottsdale, Ariz., passed away on Monday, October 11, 2021 at Hospice of the Valley, Sherman Home.
Jim was the son of Milo and Mary (Kline) Ricketts, and was one of nine children. He was born on July 11, 1938 in Perry Township, Ohio.
Jim attended Belle Center High School, and went on to play basketball at Ohio Northern University. He was a coach early in his career and went back to The Ohio State University where he received his Masters and Ph.D. in Physical Education.
Later Jim was involved in Corrections, starting the first Prison Olympics as a way of rehabilitation, as well as being Warden at the Walker Correctional Institute, in which trustee inmates held work positions outside of the prison in the day. He went on to be Warden at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Center, Deputy Director for the State of Florida Department of Corrections and Director of Corrections and member of the Governor Cabinets in both Colorado (Gov. Lamm) and Arizona (Gov. Babbitt). Jim held patents in prison technology and was an expert witness for the State on prison issues. After retirement, Jim was very involved in his church, establishing a Men’s Discipleship class, as well as an avid collector of sports memorabilia.
In 1961, he married his high school sweetheart, Vickey (Krock) Ricketts, and they have three children, Robin Ricketts (Brian Brieske); Dan Ricketts, and Kim (Ricketts) Obourn (Jeff), as well as four grandchildren, Thomas (Tom) James Obourn, Abigail (Abbey) Rae Obourn, Mary Margaret (Maggie) Obourn, and Lydia Rose Brieske. In 1988, Jim married Judy Graham Ricketts, who predeceased Jim on August 20, 2020. Judy was survived by her children and step children to Jim, Rawnda Tempesta and Jack Burke.
Jim is survived by his siblings, Jack (Pat) Ricketts, Glenn (JoAnn) Ricketts, and Bill (Melva) Ricketts, his children and grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. MaryAnn (Vernon) Brown and Stephen Kerns were always close to Jim and his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Milo Ricketts, Jr., Betty Kreinbihl, Ruth Pauline Kerns, Ralph Ricketts and Richard (Dick) Ricketts.
Services were Saturday, Nov. 6, at Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale, Arizona. Memorial contributions can be made to New Richland Baptist Church, Belle Center, Ohio, or Highlands Church, Scottsdale, Arizona.