1967 �" 2013
Ricky Alan Lashley left us on November 24, 2013, and returns only in our hearts and treasured memories shared by friends and loved ones.
Ricky grew up in Missouri, graduating from Arcadia High School in 1985. He soon left the small town where he grew up for St. Louis, where he established himself as a hair stylist extraordinaire, and made lifelong friends.
Twelve years ago he decided to make his home here in San Francisco, and immediately was the total San Franciscan. With a posse of friends they would take to the dance floor with flags, sometimes jumping to a stage, where the music and movement galvanized everyone in a way that included all. He found a family with others who flagged, especially at the National AIDS Memorial Grove.
Of course, he again developed a devoted clientele as a stylist who were also his friends. In the past several years, Ricky found the man he felt was the one meant for him, Greg Martin, and pronounced himself never happier. Together they went to Ricky's favorite places in Yosemite, traveled north to Mount Shasta, and made forays to other parts of the country from New York City to Greg's family gatherings in Colorado and other places. But what he loved as much as anything was getting up on a lazy morning and making "Ricky's potatoes" for Greg�s breakfast, and lounging to binge watch TV.
And you could count on him to be able to recite word for word the dialogue from The Women or all the words sung by Sara Brightman.
In addition to his partner, Ricky is survived by his family of choice including Cheyenne Kratz, Jen and, in St. Louis, Monique Kingsbury. He is also survived by his parents, Don and Linda Lashley, who he loved very much, and his sisters Paula and Stephanie as well as a niece and nephew and loving aunts and uncles. He would want it to be remembered that, although predeceasing him, he loved his grandmother as an anchor in his life.
Ricky was remembered December 28 by his friends in San Francisco at the AIDS grove as well in St. Louis, and by his family and loved ones in Pilot Knob, Missouri where he rests in a family plot with his grandmother.