Richard DeButts Obituary

Hello to the family and friends of Ricky DeButts. I am Ricky's oldest "Best Friend" and he was mine. My Mother "Connie" and crazy Father "Ed" and I moved to Falls Church VA in 1963 or so. The day we moved across the street from the DeButts Family I answered a knock on the back door to find Ricky and Tara with a pastry to invite us to the neighborhood. From that moment we were referred to as "sidekicks". I learned to swim in Mrs. Power's pool which had been built by Ricky's Grandfather. Our Father's built the treehouse in Ricky's side yard. The stories are endless and when I related them to my new friends they often found them hard to believe. My parents split in 68 and I moved to Strasburg VA. Mom and I visited in 1969 and Ricky and I went Doug Ping's house to watch the Moon Landing and walk. I have missed my old friend all of my life. I was relating a story about Ricky just now, to my wife, which brought me to this page. Exactly one year after Ricky's accident I had searched him on the computer and found he was gone. I was able to contact his wife Denise and tell her about my friendship with Ricky and Tara, and my "Sitter" Sharon.
Christ lives! Love Terry

The news of Ricky's passing, although years later,is still such a shock. I pray that God has given the family strength and peace. When I knew Ricky, decades ago, he was a passionate person who lived life to its fullest. His memory will never be forgotton. God Bless the entire family.

I am very sorry to hear of this. Mr. DeButts worked on our street in Mt. Pleasant painting several houses. I had the opportunity to meet him and his wife and referred a client to them. He seemed to be a genuinely nice person and I am deeply sorry for his untimely passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Debutts Family, I knew Ricky for 1 yr in 6th grade at Ellen Glasgow School in Falls Church VA. My family had moved to DC for a year. One of my good friends, Ricky was a small, tough kid with a good heart and a mop head haircut. I did not know he was in Chas, but I recognized the obituary immediately. I am sorry for your loss, I am thinking of your family, George Grice MD

Ricky (Rick)-

Words can never explain your loss and what it means to our family - we have been through a lot (those words really don't do justice to what we have all been through)!

We would like to express our deepest , heartfelt sympathies to all of Ricky's family - new and old - he became the man he was was based on both - our love goes out to you all.
Knowing Ricky since before high school, dating his best friend in high school, then running into him again on Hilton Head in a traffic jam (I let him in front of me because he had Virginia tags!)and finding out they lived across the street from me ( I thought he might have thought I was a stalker the way I followed him home after I let him in front of me!)and THEN, to top it all off, meeting my ex-husband who worked for him, through him - one can see how important he was to us and our family.

He will be missed and we know that God will keep him close to all of us and they will be watching over us. He will never be forgotten.

Much, much love,
Lawana "Louie" and Austin Michalke

Sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you Sharon, Tara and Uncle Dick.

Melissa

I am going to miss you dearly Ricky. We had alot of great times together when we were younger. We drifted our separate ways as we got older and didn't keep in touch like we should. We all are going to miss you. Savannah and Janell, I am sorry for your loss. I know you will miss him very much. I will keep you in my prayers.
Love you always
Melissa Hyatt ( your cousin)

May you find peace my friend Rick.
Savana and Janell I think of you often.
Love, Christine

Denise,

I extend my deeepest sympathy to you and Richard's family. While some might find it strange how we met, my life was blessed having crossed paths with yourself and Richard. Richard's love for Jesus has left a mark on my life.

God Bless,

Investigator Stephen Russell

I remember Ricky from many years ago in Northern Virginia. He was a great guy. He was friends with my brother, Tom Hart, for many years. I am so sorry to hear about his death. My thoughts and prayers are with Ricky's family.