Ricky Lee Barnette
March 31, 1965 ~ May 19, 2014
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Ricky Lee "Heavy" Barnette, 49, passed away unexpectedly Monday, May 19, 2014.
A native of Buncombe County, he was the son of Maude Barnette Hendrix and Johnny Lee Barnette and was preceded in death by his step father, Gib Hendrix and his step-mother, Gail Barnette.
Ricky was the owner of RRD Design and a former employee of A.C. Williams Plumbing and Heating for 28 years. He was an avid follower and contributor to the South East Super Truck Series and will be greatly missed by his race family.
In addition to his mother and father, Ricky is survived by his two sons, Michael Barnette, Jason Barnette and his wife, Heather; and a daughter, Marianne Barnette; his fiancée, Christy Dills; a half brother, John Lee Barnette; a half sister, Crystal Hensley; one niece and one nephew. Also surviving is his best friend and neighbor, Joyce Lyda and his inspiration for his designs, Ron Jovi.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Interment will follow in Emma's Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
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To the family of Ricky, he was more than just a race car manager, fan, ect. Ricky was a good neighbor, friend and person. He will surely be missed by his friends and family. Ricky always looked out for everyone around him, good or bad. My heart goes out to his mother and children. You are all in my prayers and may God bless you with an ease of your pain, knowing that Ricky will never be in pain or suffer again. Knowing Ricky he is probably trying to get Jesus to drive a race car, before sitting back resting. Ricky was always funny, but series at the same time. Ricky was just Ricky!
i was the luckiest man in the world to have the honor of having ‘HEAVY’ as my best friend and caretaker… i was lucky enough to be adopted by Ricky and accepted by his family… i know in my heart he is already ‘spotting’ for the LORD.. thank you for making so many people laugh and cry in the same breath…
but most of all thanks for being my friend…
The Southeast Super Trucks Series and ALL the racing family will miss Ricky so much! God Bless all the friends and family members.
Keith Anderson & Brenda Hughes
We are going to miss you so much the calls every day to me and the times at the shop and track it’s just not going to be the same brother without you there riding my but to do better and work harder but I promise I want let you down
A very kin man was glad to to know him , prays for all friends family
Jerry Thompson
Maude, I am so sorry for your loss. Ricky was a very kind man, a wonderful son, and will be missed terribly. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Michael and the rest of your and Ricky’s family. Please let me know if I can do anything for you.
Maude, Johnny, Cyrstal, & John-Boy, Just wanted you to know how sorry I was to hear of Ricky’s passing. My thoughts & prayers are with all of you.
Ruthie Baldwin
All of our deepest sympathies and condolences through this difficult time. Prayers from Emma’s Grove Baptist Church.
To the Barnette family:
Please know that you are in our thoughts and Prayers during this difficult time.
Wish I could’ve come and paid my respects in person Thoughts and prayers from the Payne family