Rick Proffer

Rick L. Proffer, 53, of Jackson passed away Monday, Aug. 24, 2009, at Gads Hill, Mo., near Piedmont, Mo.

He was born Feb. 26, 1956, to Linville "Bill" and Alma Loos Proffer.

Rick was a 1974 graduate of Jackson High School. He was a lifelong truck driver and had been employed at SEMO Ready Mix, Farrow Logging, Mid-America Dairy and Tom Beussink Excavating, all in Jackson. In May 2008 he became employed at Agri-Trans in Cape Girardeau.

Rick was "true blue." What was "his" was "yours" and you could count on him. If he said he would help you, he was there, day or night, you never had to worry or wait. And he never knew a stranger. If he didn't recognize you, he made a point to get acquainted and he would count you as a friend.

Rick loved his family, big rigs, farming and his cat, Ginger. If he wasn't farming or driving, he could usually be found with his buddies at the American Legion hall in Jackson. But every night he talked with his niece, Kay, and brought her up to speed on his work day and what he and Ginger had done that evening.

Loving survivors include a sister, Joan (Bob) Scholz of Jackson; two nieces, Kay (Wayne) Wolak of Jackson and Debbie (Dave) Nieder of Washington, Mo.; two nephews, Randy and Joe Scholz of Jackson; a great-nephew, Kris (Paula) Blanton of Washington; two great-nieces, Bobbi Bell and Jami Wolak of Jackson; two great-great-nephews, Nolan Bell of Jackson, Logan Blanton of Washington; and three great-great-nieces, Autumn Hinkebein, Kaydence and Brooklyn Phillips, all of Jackson; and a dear friend, Rhonda Nall of Millersville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Alma Proffer; fiancee, Connie Langston; paternal grandparents, Ora C. and Maude Proffer; maternal grandfather, Richard Loos; and maternal grandmother, Lillian Loos.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Morris Cobb officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery.

Memorial gifts are suggested to American Legion Post 158 in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.