Rick L. Ousley, Sr.

Rick L. Ousley, Sr., age 70, of Ray, passed away Friday, June 12, 2026, at his home. He was born July 5, 1955 in McArthur, Ohio, son of the late Ed Ousley and Violet Stapleton Williams. Rick was a “Jack of all trades” and was a former employee of Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Jackson and the Jackson Plastics Plant.

He was stubborn as a mule, hard to get along with some days, and other days he felt just like my best friend. He was my dad. And he’s the one who made me who I am today. That song I played, “Don’t Close Your Eyes” — he used to sing that thing three nights a week, easy. He’d sit on the edge of the bed with his guitar, or out there on the porch, just picking and singing. Back then Daddy could really sing and play, and he played in little bars and at different events around here. He loved music. He loved being around people. He loved having his family close. He loved his kids, he loved his grandkids, and he was always truly dedicated to my mom. He was a man who could do a little bit of everything — a jack of all trades, master of none, like he’d say — and he was proud of that. Didn’t matter if he didn’t have a dime in his pocket, he still carried himself with pride. Growing up, there were plenty of nights I couldn’t hardly sleep before school, because they’d be in there jamming, playing music half the night. That’s just how our house was — full of noise, full of life. Daddy was a coonhunter. He took me when I was just a little boy — so young I can’t even remember the first time. He’d walk me back to the tree where the dogs were treed and point up, show me that coon in the branches. I grew up that way, eating just about every animal we brought home, living off the land. He loved his dogs, loved rabbit hunting, loved turning those dogs loose and just listening to them run while we sat by a campfire, or in the truck with the heater going because it was so, so cold. That sound of the dogs running and that fire popping — that was his happy place. He loved to ride horses. Him and Mom would be off riding just about every weekend, off camping somewhere, just the two of them and the horses and the woods. A lot of people knew him as a great man. And he was. But I knew him as my dad. Thank you, Dad. I know the Lord’s gonna take good care of you up there. One day I’ll see you again in heaven, and we’ll sit around that fire once more, listening to the dogs, maybe you with that guitar in your hands. I love you. Rest in peace, old man. God’s got you now.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Brenda L. Osborne Ousley; sons, Ricky Lee Ousley, Jr., Chad Edward Ousley and Kyle Anthony Ousley; sisters, Patty Cooper (Keith), Brenda Leone (Lowell) and Debbie Vickers, as well as 12 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Besides his parents, Rick was preceded in death by his siblings, Keith, Judy and Sue.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, June 17, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellton. Funeral service will follow the calling hours at 1 p.m. with Pastor Keith Fulton officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com.