Help Mikey's Family with Funeral Expenses

***UPDATED with obituary***

Michael “Mikey” Ricketts Jr.

Mar 5, 2025

Michael (known by many as Mikey) was called back to His Lord and Savior on March 5th after 36 years of service to Him. Mikey was such a devoted son to his mother, Lucy Arias Ricketts, his dad, Michael Ricketts, Sr. and a loving brother to Lucy Ann Ricketts. Mikey and Lucy Ann relished in the fact of knowing they weren’t even one year apart and the same age for a month. He loved his sister so much. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her. Mikey was engaged to his beloved Mayra Alexandra Salazar and a devoted Father figure to Jayden Ortega (Mayra’s son). Mikey also deeply cherished his Golden Retrievers, TJ and Luka. TJ was so instrumental in Mikey’s recovery after his 2020 car accident.

Mikey’s story is one of achievement, perseverance and grit. He loved sports and played them from age 4 through College achieving endless amount of awards. He always participated in Church related ministries. He attained his Eagle Scout at age 14 (only 6% of all Boy Scouts achieve that level). Mikey attended Prince of Peace Community School in Dallas, Bishop Dunne High School where he achieved 1st Team All District and 1st Team All State in basketball for three consecutive years. He distinguished himself not only academically but athletics as well, was innately intelligent, so much so, attending college on numerous academic scholarships. He attended University of Dallas and graduated from Newman University in Wichita, Kansas with a Business Degree. He earned numerous athletic scholarships playing college basketball for the University of Dallas and Newman University. The sports world was his, so well versed in Sport statistics. He rubbed elbows with many college and professional athletes which led him to be personal assistant to some aspiring professional athletes allowing him to travel internationally. All the while, Mikey maintained his deeply humble and sensitive heart, donning his usual smile, and that infamous occasional wink of his.

Four years ago, Mikey sustained significant injuries where his life hung literally by a thread. Every surgeon tending to him stated his survival was a miracle. Close to death he felt a powerful presence by the Blessed Mother Mary and his grandmother, Lucy Tinajero Arias, stating that he felt both holding his hands at the sight of the crash. That witness drove his desire to recover realizing that only God could have saved him for such a significant purpose. This pushed him to persevere in the trials he experienced realizing that God always wanted to bring a greater good out of them. He surprised everyone when he got himself out of the wheelchair and began walking as all the doctors told him he should be paralyzed. While others had tears streaming, he had that Mikey smile that inspired all around him. All who remember Mikey will forever remember his compassionate and empathetic spirit, his humility (never complained), his hilarious sense of humor and how he made others feel, just to name a few.

Mikey was preceded in the new life by his two children Angel Ricketts and Michael David Ricketts III “Tre” (his two babies in heaven), grandparents, Victor and Lucy Tinajero Arias, Grandfather Richard (Dick) Ricketts. One surviving grandmother, Margaret Ricketts LeGras. He is survived by his parents, Michael Ricketts, Sr. and Lucy Arias Ricketts, his sister, Lucy Ann Ricketts, his fiancé, Mayra Salazar & her son Jayden Ortega. He was surrounded by many loving primos/as (cousins), Tio’s (uncles) and Tia’s (aunts) and will be immensely missed and never forgotten. Pray for us Mikey. (wink)

There will be a private Con-Celebrated Mass of Christian Burial, Fr. Marcos Rangel, Fr. Joshua Mavelil, Fr. Joseph Trinh, Deacon Pete Rodriguez officiating.

Pallbearers: Jayden Ortega, Michael Alfers, Roger Eiland, Anthony Lara, Mark Gardner, Jimmy Reyna, Norman Reyna, Mark Salazar.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you may consider offering Masses and prayers for the repose of his soul.

Eternal rest grant unto Mikey and may your perpetual light shine upon him.

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Dear family & friends…

As we come to terms with Mikey’s passing, we are faced with the difficult task of arranging his funeral. Unfortunately, the financial burden of funeral expenses is overwhelming for our family during this already challenging time.

We are reaching out to our family & friends for support in honoring Mikey’s memory. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help alleviate the financial strain and allow us to focus on grieving. Funds raised will go towards funeral service, burial costs, transportation, memorial arrangements, etc. Your generosity will make a meaningful difference in ensuring that Mikey is laid to rest with the dignity and respect he deserves. We also appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and messages of support during this difficult time. Your kindness means the world to us as we navigate through our grief. Thank you for your compassion and generosity. May God bless each & everyone of you always!

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Our Precious Mikey.

To know him was to experience and encounter the heart of our Heavenly Father, for Mikey was incredibly compassionate, good, loving, merciful, kind, and generous. He was also incredibly funny, personable, athletic, and intelligent. But more importantly, he loved our Lord. It is these characteristics that made him who he was and what drew people to him.

Friends and family, it is with deep sorrow that we announce that on March 5th, 2025, our beloved Mikey earned his eternal reward.

Many of you have already been so gracious (and kind) to my family and have already offered to help. We ask that you continue to pray for his soul & that his soul rests in peace. Secondly, please pray for my family and me as we navigate this season. IT IS SO INCREDIBLY HARD! In lieu of this, our hope remains in our Lord & we rest in knowing that all suffering has purpose.

As for funeral arrangements, we have made the decision to keep the funeral services "private" (family only).

"Eternal rest grant unto Mikey, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon hhim. May his souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

Psalms 4:8: "In peace (he) will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make (him) dwell in safety.

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Again, our sincere gratitude for your generosity in your desire to help financially with Mikey’s funeral arrangements. We are forever grateful!

The Arias-Ricketts Family