Clarence "Al" Alton Rikard

Clarence Alton “Al” Rikard, Jr., 87, of Statesville, passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2016.  He was born on September 21, 1928 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Clarence Alton Rikard and Mary Louise Keel. Al was married to Frances Dare McKinney Rikard who preceded him in death on January 14, 2015.  He served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years before his retirement.  He later worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, serving the Statesville community for many years before retiring from them also.  Al was a member of First United Methodist Church in Fort Myers, Florida and was a mason having served the Baron Steuben Lodge No. 264 in Lee Center, NY. Along with his parents and wife, Fran, he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Katherine Louise Niswonger. Left to cherish his memory are four sons, Robert Alton Rikard of Etowah, TN, David Alan Rikard of Birmingham, AL, Roger Scott Rikard of Port Saint Lucie, FL, and Daniel Lee Rikard of Huntersville, NC.  He is also survived by several grandchildren and great grandchildren. There will be a private family service held at the Salisbury National Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.