Ricky Emory Padgett, 54, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Friday, August 20, 2021, at Irwin County Hospital in Ocilla, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Chuck Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fitzgerald. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Tuesday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Ricky was born November 8, 1966, in Ocilla, Georgia, to Janet Hatten Padgett and the late Jake Emory Padgett. He worked as a maintenance supervisor for Golden Boy Foods. He continued a tradition his father started with Team Hammer/Lift Loud. He was active in competitive weight lifting for over 30 years. Ricky currently holds the # 2 spot in the world on Power Lifting Watch for his 700-pound dead lift. Through the years, he raised money for many charities and helped many young people in their recoveries. He was passionate about the things that mattered most to him: life, his family, people, working, and working out. He was a member of Our Divine Savior Catholic Church in Tifton.
He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Sara Padgett of Fitzgerald; children: Kacie Padgett & Miranda of Macon, Austin Emory Padgett & Logan Nobles of Fitzgerald, Kyra Padgett & Daniel Rivera of Orlando, Florida, Kadyn Padgett & Quincy Chromy of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Khloe Parker of Tifton; grandchildren: Hailey Young, Tre Young, Hayden Young, Skyla Padgett, Leah Rivera, Ayden Rivera, Sage Chromy, Adrian Jax Chromy, and Jayda Love Chromy; a sister, Debra Padgett of Nashville; a brother-in-law, Jim Walker of Fitzgerald; and a nephew: Brett Walker & John Rutherford of Ocilla. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister, Melinda Padgett Walker.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Called To Care Ben Hill-Irwin, P.O. Box 2396, Tifton, GA 31793 or to Hello Gorgeous, c/o Cyndee Smallwood, 136 Meadowlark Lane, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to Gideons International, Ben Hill-Irwin Camp, P.O. Box 752, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.