Mr. William Ricky McCree's Obituary
William Ricky McCree (aka "Tick" or "Roc") was the first of two children born to Dr. Willie A. and Carolyn Yvonne Prunty McCree on June 22, 1953, in Camden, Arkansas. He gave his life to Christ at an early age while attending Shiloh Baptist Church in Camden, Arkansas.
He was a precocious little boy eager to learn. Ms. Maddie, the lady next door, kept him while his parents worked, and by his entry to kindergarten, he already knew his ABCs, his numbers, his colors, and how to spell his name. He was always academically gifted.
His formative years were spent living in Grambling, Louisiana, during the week and Camden, Arkansas, during the weekends. In Grambling, he attended Grambling College (now Grambling State University) Laboratory Schools from first to eleventh grades. He was a class leader, an all-state basketball guard, a lettered baseball player, and an honor student. In Camden, he spent time with his relatives and helped his father run the family ranch.
Ricky's parents took jobs as professors at Texas Southern University, so in August of 1970, the family moved to Houston, Texas. Ricky was extremely disappointed that his senior year of high school would be in Houston rather than Grambling, but he made the best of it. He lettered in baseball and graduated with honors in the Jack Yates Senior High School Class of 1971.
Ricky worked his way through college and earned a B.S. in Business Finance and a Master of Public Administration from Texas Southern University.
He served as the Business Manager for Children's Protective Services (CPS) for over twenty years and then became a Senior Contract Compliance Officer for the City of Houston. Ricky loved his jobs and his colleagues.
Ricky's love for baseball was serious. He studied the Negro League intently. One of his goals was to visit every baseball field in the country, which he almost accomplished. When his agency created an intramural baseball league, he became its commissioner. He scheduled the games, kept accurate stats, and ensured the equipment was available.
Ricky was also a serious hunter. For years, Ricky would take off two or three weeks in November and go to Arkansas to deer hunt with his Cousin Maurice. He didn't always shoot anything but always had a great time hanging with the fellows at the hunting camp.
He loved the dog and horse races. You couldn't convince him that he won't know which horse would win, place, or show.
Ricky doted on his mother, sister, and daughter. He protected his girls. He will be dearly missed by his daughter, Janaeya D. Carmouche, his sister, Dr. Carol D. McCree (Roy), his aunt, Edith P. Spencer, and numerous relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents. They welcomed him with open arms. The family is comforted to know that he is absent from the body but present with the Lord.
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