Staccato O'Keefe Ricks

Funeral services for Staccato O’Keefe Ricks will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 11:00a.m., at Strong Thorne Funeral Home, 1100 Coal Avenue SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, with Reverend Napoleon Darnell Smith, officiating. Keefe was a native of Tampa, Florida before moving to California at the age of two years. As a child he loved to play the drums, eat, and take things apart to see how they worked; although he never put them back together again. His love for food was evident in his early days as he enjoyed sitting in the kitchen while his mother cooked. He loved being the one to lick the cake batter from the spoon before heading outside to play with his siblings and neighborhood friends. He attended Robert F. Kennedy Elementary in Compton, California; Walton Junior High, Compton, California; Paramount High School, Paramount, California. In high school he played football and was the star running back, wearing jersey #40. He transferred to Del Norte High School during his junior year, continuing to wear #40 on his jersey. His football acumen earned him a full athletic scholarship at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico.

Keefe accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior while attending Victory Outreach church, Albuquerque, New Mexico. While attending Victory Outreach church, he started a men’s group home ministry and became the pastoral director for three years before transitioning to Desert Hills boys and girls group home, as a Behavioral Health Technician. Keefe spent many years mentoring the youth at the group home. His impact on their lives led them to coin his name as “DK” (i.e., Daddy Keefe). Inspired by the work he was doing at the group home, Keefe, alongside his wife, Diane, became treatment foster parents. From 1996–2017, they opened their home to more than 30 children. The Ricks’ family consisted of five children of their own while serving on this mission field. In 2000, Keefe and his wife, started a non-profit Prime Time “For the kids, for the kids”. They offered breakfast and lunch for the community and provided a place for at risk youth to have access to computers, tutoring, and a pathway to get their GED for those who had dropped out of school. In 2007, Keefe worked with State Legislators to pass the statewide ordinance making the first Saturday in August, “New Mexico Youth Day.” [The first Saturday of August of each year shall be set apart and known as "New Mexico Youth Day", celebrating the importance of children in New Mexico. This day shall be observed by the people of New Mexico with activities encouraging parents and guardians to spend time with their children.” (History: Laws 2007, ch.354, § 1 and Laws 2007, ch. 358, § 1.)]. From 2018-2021, he fulfilled a life-long dream to work for United Airlines.

Keefe is survived by Cheryl Diane Ricks (his only wife of 46 years); children: daughter, Tekisha Cheryl (Fitzgerald) Younger; son, Alon O’Keefe (Deseray) Ricks; daughter, Tenadia Diane (Jabari) Clayton; daughter, Shanika Monik (Samiah) Ricks, all of Albuquerque, NM; parent: Frank C. Ricks, FL; siblings: Carlene (Ronald) Whiteurst, TX; Zenobia J. Cann, FL; Johanna A. Ramirez, FL; Grandchildren: Amia, Aleia, RaiShaun, and Rayvin Younger; Jordaan Ricks, Alyssa Irvin; Deviniti, Alon (AJ), Jr., and Aamari Ricks; Leasia and Kwame Clayton; Demetrius Ricks; Great-grandchild: Khy’ree Fitzgerald Younger. Nephews and Nieces: Stephen (Lauren) Whiteurst, AL, Aaron (Sara) Whiteurst, TX; Joshua Whiteurst, TX; Ebony Ricks, CA; Shivonna (Vincent) Hall, FL; Zaronn (Jessica) Cann, FL; Treniece (Javoris) Lucas, FL; Johanna Telae (Demond) Townes. And a host of other family members and friends too numerous to list who were cherished by him.

He was preceded in death by: Aaron Shondale Ricks (son); Josephine Ricks (mother); Algernon Jecobra Ricks (brother); KeiShaun Younger (grandchild); Jatory Zaire Ramirez (nephew).