Robert E. "Ricky" Durst...Age 48

CREMATION

VISITATION: 9:30AM-11:30AM Saturday, May 23, 2015
Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home
Osawatomie, Kansas

COMMITTAL OF ASHES TO FOLLOW:
Osawatomie Cemetery
Osawatomie, Kansas

MEMORIAL:
Special Olympics New Hope
Pittsburg, Kansas

Memorials may be sent to:
2614 North Joplin
Pittsburg, KS 66762

OR

RICKY DURST MEMORIAL FUND (TO PURCHASE A MEMORIAL TREE)
Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home
P.O. Box 430
Osawatomie, KS 66064

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Robert Eric "Ricky" Durst age 48, formerly of Osawatomie, Kansas passed peacefully on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Medicalodges Fort Scott, in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Ricky was born to Eugene Durst and La Venna Lynne (Clary) Fields on October 10, 1965 in Texas.

From a young age, Ricky lived most of his life in Osawatomie. He attended school in the Osawatomie School system and was a student at Osawatomie High School until he was disabled in an automobile accident at the age of seventeen.

While in high school he was employed at Poncho’s Mexican Restaurant in Paola, Kansas.

After an extended stay in the hospital, he returned to Osawatomie where he was further assisted by caring friends and family with re-learning to walk, strengthening exercises, and socialization along with other self-care skills.

He lived with family for a period of time and later in 2000 he moved to a Tri-Ko, Inc. group home and worked at their workshop.

Ricky was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease in 2002. He moved to Pittsburg, Kansas in 2005 to better meet his needs due to his gradual decline in health status. While in Pittsburg, he lived at New Horizons and then New Hope Services until his move to Medicalodges Fort Scott (MLFS) in March 2015.

At the time of his death, he received care from SouthernCare Hospice of Pittsburg.

During his time in Pittsburg, he was involved with Special Olympics, enjoyed playing cards, spending time outside, "girl-watching", fishing, listening to music, watching sports (especially Dallas Cowboys football) on television, spending time with caregivers, visits and phone calls from friends and siblings.

Prior to his death, Ricky was very much an advocate against drinking and driving and riding with impaired drivers. When asked, he always wanted his message passed along to others to help prevent future poor decisions resulting in life-long injuries, debility, and/or death.

Ricky was preceded in death by his mother LaVenna and nephew Harley Hake in 2013.

He is survived by his siblings: Kelly Baldovin, Sandra Mason, Kevin Cobb, Melissa Embley and Jason Fields along with numerous nieces, nephews and dear friend Rochelle (Kester) Baker.