Rickey Prudhomme

Rick Joseph Prudhomme was born on October 12, 1960, in Denver, Colorado, to his parents, Herman and Bertha Prudhomme.  He was the only child born to this union.  Being the only child, he learned to cook at an early age.  By the age of six, Rick told his mother that he didn’t need a babysitter anymore.  He explained that he only needed a key to get into the house.  At 12 years old, he redefined Thanksgiving, by making his mother stuffed pork chops, packing them up to get on the bus to take her Thanksgiving dinner at work. He loved to cook and was especially helpful.

Rick was educated in the Denver Public Schools District, graduating from Manual High School.  He continued his education receiving his associates degree in Business and several certificates in Photography.

While taking care of business, Bertha, Rick’s mother, met a young lady named, Pearl.  Pearl was Bertha’s insurance agent.  Bertha thought Pearl would be a perfect match for her son.  She introduced them to each other in June of 1988 and on April 12, 1990, in Denver, Colorado, Rick and Pearl were married.  Together, they loved to cook and cater family events.  They loved going to concerts.  Music was always a vital part of their lives.  They were the proud parents of one daughter, Rick called, “Sweetheart.” Pikhelela was so loved and adored by her parents, the rest of the family and some friends called her, “PK” or “Lela.”  Pikhelela remembers going to air shows and watching firework displays with her father.  He loved how excited she would get watching the planes and he always seemed to find the right spot for fireworks.  They shared her most favorite things like going to the Parade of Homes, looking at homes, and going on daddy/daughter dates at Jason’s Deli.  Pikhelela recalls her father teaching her to dream and cast vision.  He always made her feel like a princess.  Later, he was blessed with two grandchildren, Imani (9 yrs) and Tsadiq (5 yrs), who lovingly called their grandfather, “Papa.”  Imani remembers, “Right before Papa got sick, he took me swimming.  I loved watching him cook.  His ribs were AMAZING!” Imani or “Baby Love” as he would call her, kept the love music alive.  By the time she could walk, she knew what songs to ask to be played to get Papa up and dancing.  As the first grandchild, she lit up his life!  Tsadiq explains, “I like when Papa made ribs, it made a good smell in the house.  Papa can’t even catch me, I’m too fast.  I put the boom in the sonic boom.  He can be flash boom!”  Rick would play games of tag around the kitchen and in the living room with his grandchildren.  His grandchildren would tease him relentlessly on who was slow and who was fast.

By vocation, Rick worked as a Civilian Photographer for the United States Air Force on the Lowry Air Force Base (AFB).  This is where he developed a vast knowledge and passion for the combat aircraft.

In his free time, Rick loved to watch basketball, watch live and recorded concerts with all kinds of music.  Cooking was his favorite pastime, and he was passionate about photography and attending festivals and events with his family.  Rick will be affectionately remembered by his nieces and nephews, and several of his daughter’s friends as, “Uncle Rick.”  This is in direct correlation to his cooking.  All who entered his doors and shared life lessons punctuated by raised eyebrows and emphatic taps on the table, the thuds slightly echoing due to his large fingers.  Despite his intimidating size and stature, he was dubbed as the “Gentle Giant,” by his wife and a couple of her friends.  Sweet and attentive, Rick will be missed.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Bertha Prudhomme.

On the evening of September 23, 2021, Rick Joseph Prudhomme departed this life leaving a legacy of wisdom and good cooking.  His life will continue to be celebrated by his family and his family-in-love to include his wife, Pearl; his daughter, Pikhelela; grandchildren, Imani and Tsadig; and a host of siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.