Les Ricketts

Leslie “Les” Cutler Ricketts, Jr., 67, of Kennesaw, passed away Friday, April 11, 2008 at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital. He was born on October 30, 1940, in East Orange, New Jersey, to the late, Leslie C. Ricketts, Sr. and Anna Haggstrom Ricketts. He attended Eaglebrook Academy in Deerfield, MA and then attended Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, MA, attaining his diploma in 1960. He continued his education at Syracuse University of Syracuse, N.Y. He then served four years in the USAF with the Strategic Air Command. After serving his country, Les became Regional Sales Manager, SE Division for Radiant Lamp Corp and continued in that capacity through the acquisition by North American Philips Corp. until he left in 1974 as Head of all Warehouse Operations. He then founded and managed MAR-WAR, Inc; a home improvement company for several years until the purchase of Buckeye Press, Inc in 1983. In 1996, he and his wife, Buni, acquired Buni’s Flower Cottage in Marietta. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Illuminating Engineering Society and very active in the Masonic Fraternity having served as Past Master and Secretary of Kennesaw Lodge #33, F & AM, Past High Priest of Cherokee Chapter, RAM , Past DHP of the 7th District, Past Illustrious Master of Marietta Council #74, R&SM, Past DIM of the 7th District, Past Grand Chaplain of the Grand Council of GA, Past Commander and Recorder of Constantine Commandery #26, KT, 32’ Scottish Rite, Atlanta, Member of Knights of Mecca, Yaarab Temple, AAONMS, Past Patron, OES, Past Royal Patron, Amaranth, KYCH, Royal Order of Scotland and numerous other bodies. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, GA, having served as Elder, Confirmation class teacher, past President of the Men of the Church and a long time Chancel Choir member. Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Brenda “Buni” Ricketts; one daughter, Melissa Anne of Marietta; three sons, Mr. & Mrs. William Aaron (Dawn) of Kennesaw, Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Cutler (Delilah) of Dallas and Patrick Justin of Kennesaw; five grandchildren, Abigail, Madison, Sydney, Leslie and Mason; two cousins, Ms. Olive Ashby of Orlando, FL and Mrs. Martha McKinnon of Princeton, N.J.; 3 sisters-in-law; 2 brothers-in-law; nine nieces and nephews and 14 great nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 18, 2008 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta, GA. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church of Marietta. Followed by a 4:00 p.m. service at Masonic Rites Kennesaw Lodge #33, 547 Roswell St., Marietta. Interment will be at Quabbin Park Cemetery in Ware, MA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to any of the following: First Presbyterian Church of Marietta Music Ministry, Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Northfield Mt. Hermon School Endowment Fund, or GA Diabetic Research Foundation, P. O. Box 70638, Albany, GA 31708-0638.

Les Ricketts

October 30, 1940 - April 11, 2008