James F. Rickards

James F. Rickards, 53, of Grants Pass died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, at Three Rivers Community Hospital. A celebration of his life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Stephens Family Chapel, with Ken Bern, pastor, officiating. He was born June 30, 1954, in Sun Valley, Calif., to Herman and Betty Rickards. In 1972, he graduated from Sylmar High School in Sylmar, Calif., where he lettered in track. After a motorcycle accident, he was no longer able to compete. He moved to Grants Pass in 1976 from Los Angeles. He enjoyed playing the drums. Survivors include a son, Joshua Rickards of Huntington Beach, Calif.; three daughters, Sarah Vischer of Grants Pass, Jamie Ryals of Jacksonville, Fla., and Brittany Rickards of Grants Pass; two sisters, Tina Barry of Rogue River, and Dinah Skaggs of Halifax, Calif.; a brother, Terry Rickards of Oakhurst, Calif.; and five grandchildren.