More detail on this person: Beaufort, South Carolina - Capt. John (Rick) Eric Percy, 72, of Beaufort SC, passed away in his sleep on Thursday, Jan 14, 2021 at Beaufort Memorial Hospital after a tough fight with anaplastic thyroid cancer. Capt. Rick was born in Iola, KS, on May 24, 1948, to Lieutenant Colonel Robert and Joan Percy. His father's military career took him, his mother and two younger brothers from Germany to Hawaii, and many places in between. He attended 11 different schools growing up, but Kansas was always home to him. He spent many hours fishing and hunting with his grandparents, uncles and cousins there. His grandmother Pearl Pansy Percy got him hooked on fishing when he was 4 years old. After Kansas State University and Rick realized they weren't a good fit, his father recommended he enlist in the Army before he got drafted. While attending flight school in Texas in 1969 he met a cute blonde named Jennie and married her 3 months later. "Goatroper" flew Huey helicopters for one tour in Vietnam, bringing home a bronze star, among other accolades. His two daughters, Tani and Gwen, were born in 1970 and 1971. The family moved to Emporia, Kansas after Rick returned from Vietnam. He worked for Ford as a car salesman and attended college at night. Rick had a long and successful career in agricultural sales and worked for Purina, Van Diest Supply, Shell and Dupont. His work moved his family from Kansas to Missouri, Iowa, North Dakota, and finally South Carolina in 1990. With his friendly outgoing demeanor, knack for storytelling, and a 5000 watt smile he made friends quickly, easily and for life-especially if they were hunters and/or fishermen. He always wanted to be a fishing guide and earned his captain's license in 1997. He guided part-time until his retirement from Dupont in 2010, and full-time up until July 2020. Capt. Rick was passionate about his family and friends and fishing and hunting. He was most at home and at his best fishing, guiding and teaching everyone he could about fishing and hunting and conservation, especially kids. His energy and enthusiasm for the outdoors was infectious! He got SO excited for EVERY single cast or shot by anyone lucky enough to be with him. The very thought of going fishing or bird hunting made him light up, especially fishing! He was a great role model for living with passion and integrity! Rick is survived by his wife, Jennie, of Beaufort, SC; daughters Tani Weber (Paul) of Seattle, WA and Gwendolyn McCleave (William) of Florence, MS; grandchildren Andrea Edgecombe (William), Abigail Jordan, John Russel Midgarden, Jesse Midgarden and Jason Midgarden; mother Joan K. Percy; brothers James Percy (Carol) and Robert A. Percy (Karen); sister-in-law Marlene Zygmontowicz; 4 nieces and nephews, 5 great nieces and nephews and many cousins. The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, and staff at the University of South Carolina Medical Center and Beaufort Memorial Hospital for the excellent care he received. And thanks to his many, many friends who helped along the way. To quote the Captain: "God bless you and yours, and tight lines to all". In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Hampton Wildlife Fund PO Box 2641, Columbia, SC 29202 or online at hamptonwildlifefund.org/donate.html Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.
Burial information: Cremated
This information was last updated 01/31/2021
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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