Ricky Eugene Eddings, 61, of Harrison, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 2, 2013 after a long battle with diabetes. He was born in Turlock, California to the parents of Clyde and Nadine Eddings. He first came to the Ozarks as a child visiting with family and his many relatives in the area. After serving in the US Navy, he came back to the Ozarks to start his career as a Nursing Home Administrator and to begin his family and his many friendships with the people of Harrison, Arkansas. Rick was a prolific grant writer later helping many organizations throughout the State of Arkansas. In his later years before retirement, he worked with the Vista Volunteer program as a team leader through the UAMS AHEC-Northwest system in Harrison while helping senior health education, community health education, held classes on grant writing, workforce development and many Community Health & Wellness programs.
He was an incandescent, loving, courageous, and very knowledgeable man that was very loved by his children, grandchildren, family, and his many friends over the years. He was always willing to give the shirt off his back and help any friend, family, or stranger with anything they needed. He always had an earning for knowledge, as a prolific reader, mentor to many, and always stated that "Knowledge is Power and Power is Knowledge". The true essence of his life is that he loved his family; he loved his friends and was always there when needed to lend a helping hand. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was willing to share his knowledge, his time and financial support to anyone he deemed could use it. He will be forever missed by his family and everyone that knew him and cherished his loving spirit.

He is survived by his loving children, Theodore (Ted) Eddings, Britt (Britty) Beneke, Justin Villines, Jodi Bryant; He was the loving grandfather to Kaylee Weston, Hunter and Sophia Eddings, Addison and Kaylee Bryant. He was the brother of Shawn Eddings of Connecticut and sister, Sheryl Eddings Montez of California. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Nadine Eddings, father Clyde Eddings and brother Shane Eddings.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison with a private graveside service following the memorial at Carver Cemetery in Western Grove.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made in Rick Eddings name to the North Arkansas Partnership for Health Education (NAPHE), AmeriCorps VISTA Team at 1515 Pioneer Drive, Harrison, Arkansas 72601.

Online condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com.