Richard Hamric

Richard “Rick” Alan Hamric, age 72, of Abilene, Texas passed away on August 20, 2025. A visitation will be held at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut, Abilene, Texas on October 4, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Rick was born in Abilene to Kenneth Hamric and Patsy Luper on September 8, 1952. He attended Crockett Elementary, Jefferson Junior High, Sylvan Hills (Arkansas), and graduated from Cooper High School in 1971. Rick married Becky Strader Hamric on June 4, 1988, in Abilene Texas. He was able to connect with his daughter, Renee Crow Craig, in December 2020 and enjoyed 4 ½ years creating a very special bond.

Rick worked as a plumber throughout his life, being taught at the age of 5 at the feet of his grandfather, Andy Tucker, and owned the Plumbing Doctor for 34 years. He also made a living playing music. He went on the road playing music after he graduated from high school, although his first band was at the age of 15 while living in Arkansas. He was a drummer and singer in several different bands including Kastle Majic, Shade Tree, Fever, and Freeride to name a few, playing everything from classic rock, pop, Motown, and country. He was self-taught on the drums, couldn’t read a note but played everything by ear. His first drum set was made out of cardboard boxes. Rick’s greatest joy was entertaining people on stage, traveling through many different states for over 45 years. He had a great sense of humor and loved to make people laugh, especially with his many different impressions.

Two other passions in Rick’s life besides his family were fishing and sports. He began playing baseball as a young kid in Pony League, which he continued all the way through high school where he excelled and received numerous awards. He taught himself to fish at the age of 12 while living on the Aleutian Island of Adak, Alaska. He fished all over Texas and surrounding states, in many tournaments, and occasionally went deep sea fishing. He had too-many-to-name fishing buddies over the years and was known for hosting many fish fries. He also enjoyed hunting with his buddies. Rick was a huge sports fan. He cheered for the Texas Rangers and had a love-hate relationship with the Dallas Cowboys, even participating in the Cowboys tryout camp in 1974. He also was an avid coin collector.

Rick loved spending time with his family especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas and all the times they were able to see him play his music. He also enjoyed the sleepovers Becky had with her nieces when they were young. He waited on them hand and foot, fixing and serving all of their snacks including ice cream with chocolate syrup, frozen bottled Cokes, popcorn, etc., catering to their every need. He entertained them singing songs and doing impressions, especially Donald Duck.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Patsy, stepfather Council Archie “Loop” Luper, and sister-in-law Barbara Hamric.

Rick is survived by his wife Becky of 37 years, 5 dogs Ezzie, Libby, Jolene, Harper, and Francine, his daughter Renee Crow Craig and husband Chuck, grandchildren Jeremy and wife Kaitlyn, Josh, and Bekah, brother Rusty Hamric and nephew Cody and niece Callie, sister Carla Blanton and nephew Coby, sister Mona Smolenski and husband Troy Dennis, father-in-law Jerry Strader, sister-in-law Patty Wenetschlaeger and husband Terry, sister-in-law Sally Frazier and husband Olen, brother-in-law Bob Strader and wife Mary Beth, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers or for memorial contributions, please consider a donation to any animal rescue of your choice or other charity. A special thank you to physicians Drs. Jeffrey Edwards, Anton Melnyk, Thomas Nelius, and Vlad Zaha as well as for the caring staff at Hendrick Hospice and to family and dear friends who sat with him and supported me (Becky) throughout the nine months of this last illness.