Rick Medlock

Rick Medlock

OBITUARY

Rick Medlock passed away on September 11, 2024 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2018. Initially, Rick was a Model Builder B at San Diego General Dynamics Convair’s Wind Tunnel on Pacific Highway. He went to see a friend in Yreka/Mt. Shasta area and built a 16′ equilateral tree house 16′ off the ground in Mountain Alder trees using only hand tools. Rick then became a Gold Miners apprentice at the Yellowjacket Gold Mine south of Arivaca, Arizona.

Then moving to the island of Maui he helped plant a protea orchard in upcountry Kula. Moving to the Big Island he and a childhood friend built a custom home for a client and various home improvements for others. Upon his move back to San Diego he was employed at the San Diego Zoo for 28 years and when retiring he was one of the Zoo’s Construction and Maintenance Managers.

Rick was married to Julie for 56 years. Their son Ryan Joseph is now 33 and lives nearby with his long-time partner Julia Michel. Rick’s brother Bob and his wife Marilyn live in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Nephew Justin also lives in Colorado and niece Marissa lives in Texas. Three nephews live locally in San Diego along with many nieces and nephews from Illinois.

Rick was born in San Diego at Mercy Hospital on July 4, 1947. He had a great childhood exploring the canyons. Rick was a member of the Cherokee Nation. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Applied Arts and Sciences with Distinction in Industrial Arts at San Diego State University. Rick’s creative spirit extended to his mastery of gardening. Everyone who knew him regarded Rick as an exceptional person.