Obituary of Lyle Ricardo Merrigan

Lyle Ricardo Merrigan "Ricky" 3/16/1934 - 6/11/2014 Born in Sioux City, Iowa, on March 16, 1934, Ricky enjoyed a childhood growing up in Hopkins, Minnesota, and Hurley, South Dakota, with his parents, Deloss and Leila. He spent much of his time with his brothers, Jerry and Steve; and his sister Jacque. Ricky grew up with a background in road construction, buying his first truck at age 14. By the 1950's he owned his own fleet of trucks. As his company grew he gave up driving and became a pilot, flying coast to coast to check on his job sites. In his 30's Ricky moved to Tucson, where in 1967 he and his brother Jerry opened an RV business. Ricky Merrigan's Arizona Road-Runner is still in business today. Ricky was a gifted carpenter, writer and story teller. It gave him great joy to build any needed items for his family members, from kitchen cabinets to bus stop benches. One of his great delights was watching his grandchildren sing, dance and act. He never missed a performance. He loved spending time with his family, often entertaining everyone at the home he built and lived in for the last 40 years. Ricky was a very special man who helped many people throughout his life with his generosity and love. He will be missed. Ricky is survived by his wife, Betty; his children, Douglas, Sandra, Debra, Susan and Giselle; stepchildren, Shane and Shari; sister, Jacque; brother, Steve; 22 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. Service to be held on Saturday, June 21, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church at 1220 W. Magee Rd., Tucson, AZ 85704. Burial to follow in Viborg, SD. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to St. Jude's Research Hospital or Kids Unlimited Studio in Tucson. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel.