RICKY ROLLAND SLOAN
August 20, 1947 - August 21, 2026

Ricky Rolland Sloan
August 20, 1947 - August 21, 2026
Ricky Rolland Sloan, affectionately known as Ric, passed away peacefully at his home in Los Banos, California, on August 21, 2026, at the age of 79 years and one day, after a battle with cancer. At his side was Vernonne, the love of his life.
Ric was born on August 20, 1947, in Evart, Michigan, to Milford and Mary Sloan. He was raised in Greenville, Michigan, and graduated from Greenville High School in 1965.
Ric proudly served his country for eight years in the United States Air Force as a Weapons Mechanic, including one year stationed in Guam and one year serving in Vietnam. His military service remained a great source of pride throughout his life. In 2022, Ric had the honor of traveling to Washington, D.C., as part of an Honor Flight, an experience that was especially meaningful to him and recognized the service he had so proudly given to his country.
Following his military service, Ric went to work for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation out of Denver, Colorado, as a driller. His work took him throughout the United States, testing water at different sites. In 1982, that job brought him to Los Banos to test water at San Luis Dam -- a trip that would ultimately change the course of his life when he met Vernonne Thomas.
Six months later, Ric's job transferred him first to Truckee and then to Auburn. But after years of traveling, Ric made the decision to leave his government job because he wanted to build a life with Vernonne and her children.
After leaving the Bureau of Reclamation and settling in Los Banos, Ric went to work for the Los Banos Unified School District, where he worked as an Information Specialist until his retirement in 2010.
Retirement never really meant sitting still for Ric. He worked a few jobs here and there to keep himself busy, but he and Vernonne also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States in their motorhome, often taking off for weeks or even months at a time. They later made their home in Apache Junction, Arizona, before returning to California in 2023.
Ric loved being a member of the Odd Fellows in Los Banos. He especially enjoyed nights out with the boys, playing dice, sharing plenty of laughs, and enjoying a good meal.
Ric was a hardworking and caring man with a wonderful sense of humor. He was always willing to lend a hand whenever someone needed him and could be counted on to help wherever he could. In his free time, Ric enjoyed woodworking and gardening, and he especially loved running his karaoke machine, bringing music, laughter, and fun wherever he went.
Ric was preceded in death by his parents, Milford and Mary Sloan.
He is survived by his loving wife, Vernonne Sloan; his children, Michelle Pinkowski (Brian), Brenna Lee (Billy), Toni Huarte, Vikki Thomas, and Doug Thomas (Heidi); 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; his siblings, Kenneth Sloan, Darwin Sloan, and Diana Conner; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service
A memorial service honoring Ric's life will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 615 E Street, Los Banos, California 93635.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in Ric's honor to Honor Flight Network, an organization especially meaningful to Ric after having the honor of participating in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in 2022.
Donations may be mailed to:
Honor Flight
Box L-4016
Columbus, OH 43260-4016
Donations may also be made online through the Honor Flight Network.

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