Rick's Story

Rick was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, self-proclaimed golf pro, and grill master extraordinaire. 

He passed away 11 May 2021 after an unexpected and brief illness.  Our family was devastated, our Dad was our best friend. We spent afternoons on the deck, watched college sports on Saturday, and cheered for the Chief's on Sunday. He was our plus one.  Our go-to or everything. Dad was our person!  

Rick Shingleton was born 6 September 1961, to Sonny and Carol Shingleton. He grew up in Argentine, KS and attended Noble Prentis Grade School, Argentine Middle School, and Harmon High School.  A KCK boy through and through, you  could find Rick down the street, at his grandparents’ house, during the summer playing with his uncles, Rusty and Bob. Growing up, he was a talented athlete, excelling in many sports – golf, basketball, football, and baseball. He played American Legion Baseball throughout his teenage years; this is where he met several of his life long friends, Dino Palcher, Dow Priddy, and Bill Grosdidier.  Rick graduated from Harmon High School, Class of 1979, where he was an All-State Defensive Back.  An honor Rick was very proud of and never let any of us forget. He was a collegiate athlete, playing both football and baseball. He played baseball for Kansas City Kansas Community College and Missouri Western University. After his collegiate career, Rick carried on his love of sports by teaming with his friends and playing men's fast pitch for The Sport's Page.  He missed the comradery and was always quick to tell us stories about their trip to Rollo and Santa Fe and California and Florida and Washington State – honestly their shenanigans are too numerous to count but they were epic!  

Once he hung up his cleats and stored his bat bag, golf became his new passion. Rick played at LEAST FOUR TIMES A WEEK.  If you needed to find Rick, just head over the Heritage Clubhouse.  He was President of the Men's League, participated in the KC Cup tournament, and coordinated an annual golf trip. He was the central figure in many golf trips to Las Vegas. 

Those of us lucky enough to know Rick saw a man that was truly one of a kind and had a heart of love and compassion. Ricky or "Uncle Ricky," loved his family first and his friends a very close second. His love of sports led him to put together a team of high school friends, and now fathers, to coach his son Kris' football team throughout elementary and middle school. His infectious enthusiasm guaranteed to get him ejected from at least one game each year. When his daughter played high school softball, Rick could be found cheering (yelling) in a lawn chair from the right field. Rick spent countless hours in the driveway playing basketball with his children. Teaching them technique and holding free-throw competitions that he always won.

Even though Rick only made it to 59 years old, many would agree he lived a full life that many people would love to have. He was a great friend with too many friends to count; he was a wonderful son, a bulldog of a brother, a loving husband, and most of all, he was a hero to his kids and grandson, Bennett Lee. Rick was ecstatic to be a grandpa. It meant he once again, had a full-time partner in crime.  Rick and Bennett spent every day together, whether they were working on their short game or putting, they were two peas in a pod. Rick enjoyed sitting on the deck, grilling, and enjoying a beer and cigar with his family while passionately discussing sports and politics. Those that were fortunate enough to spend any time with Rick saw a man that was truly one of a kind with a heart full of love and compassion. He had an infectious laugh that could be heard a mile away ~ a laugh we will remember for the rest of our lives. 

As the memories and stories live on, Rick's legacy will always be as the person you could count on to show up when he said he would there. He was a man of principle and integrity. A man of honor. The bottom line is that when the good Lord made Ricky Shingleton, he broke the mold. He was truly one of a kind and while it is hard to understand why he needed to leave us, we are certain heaven is a better place with him there.