Ricky Gene Hartley was born February 12, 1952, at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Lamar, Colorado, and departed this life November 6, 2015, at the Southeast Colorado Hospital in Springfield, Colorado. He was 63 years old.

Rick's childhood began on the Kirkendale's farm south of Pritchett, Colorado. After living in Utleyville, Colorado, Garden City, Kansas, and starting first grade in Eads, Colorado, the family moved to Springfield. Rick attended Springfield Elementary, Junior High and High School, graduating with the class of 1971.

As a young boy he was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and Little League baseball. He had a love for music and enjoyed taking guitar lessons and playing in a small band with his brother.

High school sports motivated Rick to do well in school. He thrived on competitive sports and participated in football, basketball and track all through high school. He was a 4-year member of the S-club, junior and senior class president and was chosen Mr. SHS by his peers.

After graduating from high school Rick continued working for the Springfield Co-op where he had worked during school and later started working for Cooper Construction. Rick worked for J.T. Cooper for several years and eventually started his own business, Hartley Construction.

Rick's love of competitive sports never faded. After high school he found other sports avenues in rodeo, and town team basketball. Rick sponsored T-ball and muttin' bustin' and coached peewee football. He was a volunteer trainer for the high school football team, and coached high school track for 20 years.

In the summer of 1975, Rick met Pam Hannafious. Rick and Pam were married March 13, 1976. Their first son, Jered, was born in 1980. Daughter Brooke was born in 1981, followed by TeNeil in 1985, and then Colton in 1989.

Early in 1985 Rick began taking EMT basic classes. He finished the training, and earned his EMT-basic certification. He quickly advanced to the EMT-Intermediate level and volunteered for the next 7 years. Rick was offered the job of EMS Director in 1992. Rick held this position for 23 years until his death November 6, 2015.

Rick was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents; Ray and Freta Hartley, maternal grandparents Clyde and Sarah Locke, and son Colton Tyrel Hartley. Loved ones left to mourn his passing; wife, Pam Hartley, son Jered Hartley (Heather Darbe) and granddaughter Brielle of Montrose, Colorado, daughters Brooke Hartley (Peter White) of Springfield, Colorado, and TeNeil Hartley of Littleton, Colorado, parents Norman (Pete) and Charlene Hartley of Springfield, Colorado, brother Randy Hartley (Sharon)of Alliance, Nebraska, sister Linda (Sparky) Hartley of Alva, Oklahoma, brother-in-law Kim (Mindy) Hannafious of Grand Junction, Colorado, nieces Alisa Wallace and Shea (Mike) Spires, nephew Ryan (Billie)Hartley.