Notes Of Remembrance For Rik We held a wake for Rik at the Panda Restaurant, his favorite, in Hot Springs. It was on Sunday night at 5pm, Jan. 13th. Attending were Jake & Steve Lamkins Shane Lamkins Dave Davies Traci Lamkins & her mom Dorothy Lamkins, her sister Carolyn & husband John, her brother Allen Hank Key Judy Key Smith 12 altogether. We had photos out of Rik & our waitress recognized him & expressed condolences. While eating we told stories about Rik & his life. Jake (1/14/02) Jake, I pulled the message down while I am in Houston this week. I am so sorry to hear about Rik. He really had a rough time with his health, but I am happy to have shared some fun times with him over the years. He will be missed. Fondest regards, Jim Key (1/15/02) Susan Lamkins called twice on Tuesday, 1/15/02, to express condolences and ask if it was okay to send notes. I checked today's online paper & didn't see it. Will it appear tomorrow? Did you ever say anything to them about running it in the Malvern paper. Thanks for doing all that, Jake (1/15/02) Don't think it was online. It was in newspaper Dave (1/15/02) To Dorothy Lamkins: I hope things are settling down for you by now. Mary Harrell (sp?) sent Dave this copy of Rik's obit which she had sent you but I noticed she put a P in your last name so I know you didn't get it. I've attached it. Jake 1/15/02) I am so sorry to hear about Rik's passing away. I am going to let Mother know, because she does not have a computer and wants to know about Dad's side of the family and she will certainly want to know about Rik. I'm sorry I haven't written much, I started my spring semester last week and I just now signed on to check a couple of weeks worth of email. I would indeed appreciate very much a copy of the obituary. It just seems like so many people in my family are sick or dying. It saddens me that I don't live near all of my relatives like I used to when I was growing up. At least back then, we were able to keep in touch often. Please know that you and Rik's family are in my prayers. Again, I'm so sorry. Cathie Marie Key Lauderdale (1/15/02) Dear David, I am so sorry to hear about Rik passing away, and so soon after Link passed away also. Although I did not meet Link, I felt like I knew him through his wife Tracy, who I kept in touch with regularly via email. She was always telling me about their lives and putting some "mental pictures" in my mind by describing their newlywed life together. So in a way, I still am trying to adjust to the fact that Link is gone. Mother, on the other hand, does remember Link and I'm sure she has good memories of Rik also. I am going to call her tonight and tell her about Rik...I know it will sadden her. I know it must be so much harder for you and Link's other brothers and his wife and the rest of his family. And now Rik is gone. I just wish I had somehow been able to get to know both of them better. I'm very grateful for the emails I've received from you and Jake and other Key family members that have at least helped me to keep up with my Dad's side of the family. I am saddened by the fact that I don't live near all of my family like I used to when I was younger. In those days, we all managed to find time to visit each other and keep up with each other's lives. Thank you so much for sending me Rik's obituary. I just feel so sad right now because it seems like one by one, members of Dad's family are leaving us. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to write a depressing letter, I meant to try to encourage you, but I don't think I did a good job of it. I truly appreciate the obituary and please know that all of you are in my prayers. May God bless you and comfort you during this time. Love & Prayers, Cathie Marie (1/15/02) Dear Jake, Yes, for the most part, things are kinda settling down. However, the phone rings constantly and/or there is someone here all the time. Not complaining, but I would love a whole day of quiet time. Everyone from my church, my family and friends have been very supportive - Carolyn us coming over tomorrow and staying the rest of the week. Today was her last day at her job. She is now a woman of leisure. I have gotten so many compliments from different ones about Rik's Obituary... they thought it was so nice, very unique and said it all. Most loved the memorials being sent to the Humane Society - they have a "no kill" policy. Will go for now, thanks for everything Jake.... I still have that book of mine that I'm going to send your way. Love to you and JJ, Dorothy (1/16/02) Dort, I'm so very sorry to hear about Rik. It had been so long since we had gotten to talk and I was looking forward to catching up with you guys and was planning a trip down this summer. Guess I didn't realize he was that serious off. I wish there were something I knew to say or do for you. I really don't know what to say, other than I'll light a candle for him at Mass this weekend. I'll always think of Rik as my cousin. Keep in touch and let me know how your doing. If you talk with Jake & David, tell them hello and how sorry I am. Mike Demoret ps: Treat life in 3/4 time. (1/16/02) Condolences given at work: Jim Clark Dean Kjosa Emmett Biswell Gini Hickman Condolence e-card received from Mary Jo Avery Bailey & Johnny Bailey (1/19/01) How Rik The Hand got his nickname: When I came to Malvern from the Air Force in June, 1961 for 30 days leave prior to being sent to Hawaii, I moved Mother, Link, Rik & Dave to Hot Springs. I borrowed Uncle Gene's pickup for the job. I was 18, Link 16 and Rik 14. Link & I were courting two Hot Springs gals and went to the lake for an outing. Rik tagged along. The two couples were out quite a distance in the water messing around. Rik felt left out so he swam underwater from the shore and came up under one of the girls, getting a handful of her crotch on his way to the surface. The girl gave a scream about "someone's hand", starting trying to hit either Link or me, when suddenly Rik shot up to the surface with his face all purple (it always got that way when he was in the water - which he loved). It was hard to believe he swam that far underwater. He always maintained it was an accident he grabbed the girl; he was just trying to surface. Anyway, he was nicknamed "Rik The Hand" thereafter. Jake (1/20/02) A wonderful story....I love it! Yes, and Rik was a wonderful swimmer. I remember the time Rik & I were at Chuck's house and we were all sitting around seeing who could hold there breath the longest. Well, of course it was Rik. Chuck's daughter (can't remember her name)(she was just a kid at the time) said, "That's not fair, Rik only won 'cause he has a new heart!" Only a kid could come up with that good a line. It was after his first heart surgery. Dorothy Lynn (1/20/02) Messages at the Malvern Class 1960 Club: Bill, my condolences to you & yours for the loss of your brother. I did not know Rik, but he must have been very special. To have two brothers gone within 5 months is something I cannot begin to imagine or comprehend. My heart goes out to you and your family. Gail West (1/19/02) Bill my thoughts and prayers are with you. Paul Davidson (1/20/02) Bill, I am sorry to hear about your Brother. My Prayers ans thoughts are with you. God Bless! James Wedsted (1/20/02) Bill, I just got the message about your brother. I am so sorry. My prayers also go with you and your family. Judy Keeley Moody (1/21/02) Bill, I just tracked down your message about losing your second brother in a short time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of loss and greiving. We just buried Gene's Step-dad last week and realize how it is going to take time to fill this void. We ask God's hand of comfort on you and yours. Circle and Mr Shue (1/21/02) Bill, My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your brother. Mike Drain (1/21/02) Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. These black clouds that are raining on my family have been gathering for a few years. Brother Link fought bone cancer for two years and Rik was born with a congenital heart defect - he struggled for life nearly every day of his 54 years. My father, who's 82 and in poor health, has been hit especially hard by the two deaths. I fear he will be gone soon. My strength to prevail through these difficult times comes from the courage and example set by my two brothers when they faced death. Life is so temporary and we waste so much of it! Your thoughtfulness is appreciated. Bill (1/21/02) Bill, Your strength through this is a beacon of light to the rest of us facing challenges these days. Thank you for sharing yours with us, and to remind us to always say I love you to our family and friends because like you said life is so temporary we don't want to wast any of it. So to all my classmates and friends at Malvern, thank you for being my friend and I love you guys. Judy Keeley Moody (1/22/02) Bill, just read your message. I had no idea! Please accept my apologies and condolences for not getting in touch with you before now. You are so right. Example is the best way to learn! My mom is 87 and I know your concern. Please know that you are in my prayers! God Bless! Martha Chadwick Lindvall (1/22/02) Bill my thoughts and prayers are with you. Butch Green Clark (1/23/02) Condolence cards from Linda Key Barber Susan Lamkins Haney Jean Edwards Freeman (She sent copy of obit from Hot Springs paper) (1/26/02) Steve Melton (Memphis Tech) (1/28/02) Regarding Rik's webpage; Jake, Thank you! I love it!!! I love the flames, the music, the pic, the e-mails, the stories, oh, and especially the "Let Me Go" that I had scanned. I cry every time I read it, but, I love it!!!! I am gonna call the University Hospital again tomorrow and see what they have done in the way of "digging up" old records. If they have not done anything, I am sure that I can get real close to the dates. Please write more "Rik" stories.....I love 'em. Put the one about Rik's rabbit on the webpage. Any others that you can think of....I know he use to "grab his chest and fall out of his chair at school so he could go home." I've got some good ones and when I'm REALLY up to writing, will share. Oh, I just remembered the time we all went to the very first Mtn View Folk Festival - I'll let you handle that one - that is, if you want to. Will go for now, Love, Dorothy Lynn (2/11/02) Rik had 350 Honda in Summer of 1969 while living on Pine Bluff St. in Malvern. Married Dorothy Jan 24, 1969 in Hot Springs. He was 22. Jake (2/25/02) Facebook posts Thinking about my brother Rik today. He left us just before midnight on Jan 12, 2002 but the death certificate shows the next day, Jan 13. It's really hard to believe it has been 18 years. http://LAMKINS.tripod.com/Rik.html -Jake Lamkins (1/12/20) God bless Rik. Such a wonderful man. -Ellen White Davies (1/12/20) I know, Jake. How can time get away so quickly. -Dorothy Johnson (1/12/20) 18 years ago today, my Richard (Rik) passed away at age 54 - he was the love of my youth; my Edward (Ed) passed away just 1 month, 3 days ago - he was my late life love. I miss them both,,,but, my Edward, I miss him so much...I walk the halls at church, see where Ed's class use to be, sit in my classroom, everywhere I go in my church, at home,,,,anywhere I go...I'll never see Ed again here on earth. I miss my baby; I realize time heals, certainly, 18 years have helped to heal Rik's death. One day I will see both of them again...both completely healed.️, Rik's 'Dort' & Ed's 'Sunshine.' -Dorothy Lamkins Johnson (1/12/20) GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Today would have been Rik's 73rd Birthday, but he died Jan. 12, 2002 at the age of 54. He was 11 days shy of his 55th Birthday. Rik was my 1st boyfriend...the husband of my youth. Just remembering Rik today...will never forget all the fond memories of days gone by. Rik was incredibly smart; his favorite book to read was the dictionary (the truth)...and nothing ever stood in his way...he was a fighter; the 'come-back kid' - beginning at birth. -Dorothy (1/23/20) Thanks for the post, Dorothy. Rik's been on my mind since yesterday, knowing that his 73rd birthday was today. I laugh to myself remembering how he got the nickname - Rik The Hand. Link and I had taken two girls to Lake Catherine in July 1961 when I was home on leave from the Air Force. Rik had pestered us to let him come too. He was a real water rat and loved the water. Rik was on shore and the rest of us were quite a way out in the water goofing around. Rik decided to surprise us - mainly the two girls - by swimming underwater all the way out to us. He barely made it and came up gasping and grabbing for the surface and air. He almost pulled down the swimsuit top on one of the girls and they were squalling about this hand coming up out of the water grabbing at them. -Jake Lamkins (1/23/20)