Ricky E. Wilson of Clinton was among the victims in the Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009, crash of the Turkish Airline Flight 1951 at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Ricky was born Aug. 27, 1957 in Tennessee, to James and Loretta Wilson.

Ricky grew up in a military family following his father’s career finally settling in Oak Harbor. He was in ROTC at Oak Harbor High School, where he graduated in 1975.

He was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy class of 1980. He graduated Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fla., also graduating Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif. He retired as a lieutenant commander in 1995, earning a Navy Achievement Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, and other distinguished honors.

After settling in the Northwest, he spent the last 13 years with Boeing as an aeronautical engineer.

He was preceded in death by his father, James O. Wilson. He is survived by his loving wife, Terry Wilson; their daughters, Audrey and Charlotte of Clinton; his mother, Loretta Wilson of Oak Harbor; his brother Donald K. Wilson and Rose Otto of Chehalis; and a large extended family.

Ricky loved traveling, woodworking, gardening, and worshipping his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with his guitar playing.

Ricky was an honest, witty, clever, loving, sensitive, grateful believer in Jesus that will be missed by friends and family.

Military honors and a committal service will be at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent with a memorial service at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Langley. The public is welcome to attend either or both services. The family gives thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to World Vision (1-888-511-6548) in memory of Ricky E. Wilson. Funeral arrangements by Marlatt Funeral Home, Kent.