Richard Britt Jr.

A Tribute to Richard Loren Britt Jr.

Written from the Heart of His Wife, Sharon

There are some loves that come into our lives for a season, and there are some that become woven into the very fabric of who we are. Rick was that love with me.

Richard Loren Britt Jr., my husband, soulmate, best friend, and the love of my life, passed away on May 16, 2026, at the age of 77. While words can never fully capture the man, he was or the life we shared, I hope they can offer a glimpse into the remarkable person we were blessed to know and love.

Rick was born on October 7, 1948, in Bloomington, Illinois. Our story began in Champaign, Illinois, in March of 1967, where two young people working in competing department stores happened to find each other. Rick worked in a men’s clothing store, and I worked in the men’s department of a major department store. We dated for three years before marrying on July 11, 1970. Fortunately, what fate had started for us evolved into 59 years of love, laughter, adventure, and friendship together.

People often talk about finding their soulmate. I was fortunate enough to spend much of my life with mine. Some of the things I loved most about Rick were his big blue eyes with those long eyelashes and his great sense of humor. He was genuinely a happy, funny person, and his laugh was impossible to miss—infectious, genuine, and contagious. If Rick was laughing, everyone around him was usually laughing too. It also made it impossible to stay mad at him about anything for very long.

Through all of life’s joys and challenges, we always found a way to laugh together. It was this shared sense of humor that helped us navigate the chaos and nonsense that life sometimes throws our way.

And then there was his mustache—the one he returned from Vietnam with. For decades, Rick wore the same thick, signature handlebar mustache that somehow no one else could have pulled off. Trends came and went, and fashions changed; later, Rick added good golf hats to his look. But his mustache remained timeless. Just like him, it became part of who he was—as recognizable as his smile and as comforting as his presence.

Rick proudly served his country as a Vietnam veteran in the United States Army. Throughout his life, he built successful careers as a Kirk Co. residential Realtor in Topeka, KS; a leasing mall manager for several Macerich Properties such as Green Tree Mall, IN; Walnut Mall, VA; Plaza Frontenac, MO; and Chico Mall, CA; an Integra Realty Resources senior analyst; a licensed Kentucky real property appraiser; and later the owner of Britt Appraisals, LLC, where he worked as a Kentucky licensed residential real property appraiser. Rick was a

respected member of the Kentucky real estate appraisal community and was admired by his coworkers, friends, and clients for his professionalism, integrity, and dedication.

But if you asked Rick what mattered most, it wasn’t his professional career. It was his family.

Rick was a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, big brother, and loyal friend. He had a special gift with dogs and children, who adored him. Bedtime stories were never simply read; they were performed. Every character had a voice. Every page came alive. Our daughters eagerly awaited story time because they knew Dad would turn an ordinary book into a comedy show.

There was a part of Rick that never forgot how to be a kid himself, and that was one of the many things everyone loved about him. He enjoyed watching cartoons and animated movies with our children, and later even more with our grandchildren. Truthfully, many times he watched them all by himself because he enjoyed them just as much as the kids did, especially his Looney Tunes.

To his grandchildren, he was known as “Pops” and as the legendary “Tickle Monster.” The moment Pops entered a room, the grandchildren knew they were in for laughter, hugs, teasing, chasing games, and tickle attacks. Some of their happiest memories were made with him, and those memories will continue to bring smiles to them for years to come.

Rick loved life’s simple pleasures: cooking good food, discovering new restaurants while sampling different bourbons or wines, going to movies together, spending time with friends and loved ones, traveling with friends or family, and watching his daughters play volleyball and softball. One of his very favorite things was heading to the golf course or driving range whenever he could with his best friend, Chris.

Rick found joy in simply being with the people he loved most.

He is survived by me, his loving wife, Sharon Marie Britt; our daughters, Ashley Britt Storey and Aimee Lynn Britt; his cherished grandchildren, Britt, Brooke, Ethan, Ty, and Avery, who adored their Pops; his brothers, Randy and Russ; and his sister, Betsy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Margie Britt, and his infant brother, Ronnie.

The hardest part of losing someone after 59 years together is learning how to exist in a world where they are no longer physically beside you. Rick was my partner in every sense of the word. He celebrated my joys, carried my burdens, made me laugh when I wanted to cry, and loved me through every chapter of our lives.

While my heart is broken, it is also full of gratitude.

Gratitude for every year.

Every kiss and hug.

Every handheld.

Every laugh and every tear shed.

Every road trip explored.

Every happy family event.

Every conversation with close friends.

Every sweet memory made together.

I would choose Rick all over again.

Rick leaves behind a legacy of laughter, love, kindness, and family. He was dearly loved, and he will be deeply missed.

Thank you, Sweetheart, for 59 wonderful years. You were my greatest blessing, my favorite adventure, and forever the love of my life. Until we are together again.

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM at Louisville Memorial Gardens East, 11601 Ballardsville Road, Louisville, Kentucky.

Celebration of Life: 1:00 PM at Drury Inn & Suites Louisville North, 9597 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY 40241. RSVP for the Celebration of Life by calling or texting 502-377-2574.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Rick Britt’s memory to the American Kidney Fund.

American Kidney Fund 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852