On January 25, the phone call that no one ever wants to get came. Rickie was injured at work. He was transported by ambulance and then by life-flight to Geisinger. When we arrived we were told that he didn’t make it. The shock we were in was indescribable. Everything we experienced that day will never be forgotten.
Rickie was an exceptional kid. He was a twin. His twin was lost before birth. He was born October 4, 1984. He was the son of Laura (Slackus) Cooper. He left behind 4 sisters and 2 brothers; Tonya (Fidler) Shappell, Tiffany Botzer, Brenda Botzer, Chasity Carl, Jeffrey Fidler, and Kevin Fidler. Rickie also had 4 nieces and 2 nephews, who he loved very much; Jada Fidler, Alexia Botzer, Bryce Shappell, Krya Fidler, Brittany Konas and Kyle Konas.
Rickie was a loving boy. He was the type of person who’d give you the shirt off of his back. He was well liked and had many friends.
As a small child, Rickie thought his name was really Rickie Roo. As a young boy he played baseball and basketball. As he got older he had a passion for vehicles. He attended the vo-tech, where he excelled. He went to competitions. He received many awards throughout his school years. He graduated from high school in 2003. He was offered a job as a mechanic, but wanted to further his education by learning how to work on all makes of vehicles.
Rickie was a wonderful son, brother and uncle. He will be forever in our mind and hearts. He is sadly missed and loved by everyone. We do find some comfort that as a young man, he was able to make the choice to become an organ donor. He gave in death what he gave in life, his everything.