Louis Eugene Ricossa Jr's Obituary
Louis Eugene Ricossa, Jr., 90, passed away on July 29, 2021 at Methodist LeBonheur Hospice Residence. He is preceded in death by his parents Louis Sr. and Rose (Vescovo) Ricossa, his brother Raymond Ricossa, Jr., his first wife Evelyn Cattaneo Ricossa, his second wife Grace Burke Ricossa, and step daughter, Dawn Reaves Murray Meek. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Frances Reaves Ricossa, his children Lynn (Travis) Yadon, of Oklahoma City, OK, and Carol Ricossa of Memphis, TN, his grandchildren, Blair Yadon of Oklahoma City, OK, and Carly Yadon of Springfield, MO, great grandchildren. Also, his step children, Kelli (Terry) Williams of Memphis, Danny (Denise) Burke, Walter Burke of Memphis, and Matthew (Charlotte) Burke of Dallas, TX, Linda Manley (Rob) Johns, Debra (Steve) Kines, his sister-in-law Marie Ricossa, his nephew Raymond (Patti) Ricossa of Memphis, TN, his niece Cheryl Ricossa of Miami, FL and 22 step grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
Lou was a native of Memphis, CBHS Class of 1948. He attended Memphis State University, was a lifetime supporter of the Tigers football and basketball programs and President of the Highland Hundred Club in 1982. He was a charter member of UNICO, the largest Italian American service organization, served on the Board of Directors for many years and was Chapter President in 2005. He was inducted into the CBHS Hall of Fame in 1988 and was President of the Alumni Association 1988-1991.
Lou had a successful career in sales, ending at Memorial Park Funeral Home where he spent 17 years in the pre-planning department and received numerous awards for outstanding service. He truly enjoyed helping families at the time of death of a loved one.
A parishioner of St. Louis Catholic Church since its inception in 1957, he was a longtime member of the Men’s Club and looked forward to their yearly retreats in Manresa, LA, Subiaco, AR, and Cullman, AL. He was very proud of the fact that he had only missed three retreats in all the years he had attended. He was a faithful Lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Louis Church for 50+ years. He also made the Cursillo pilgrimage in 1979 where he made many close and lifelong friends and continued to encourage others to make the journey. He often remarked that the highlight of his life was when he made a trip to Italy with the St. Louis choir and when they visited the Pope, he was selected to do the readings for the Mass.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 2, 2021 at St. Louis Catholic Church with funeral service and Mass held immediately following visitation. Interment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery.
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