Rick was born January 26,1953 in Lewistown, Montana to his parents Norm and Ruth Warneke. Rick rode away to be with Jesus, peacefully in his Marquez, Texas home surrounded by his wife, some of his children and grandchildren on Sunday March 3, 2024. He was 71 years old.

Rick grew up in Suffolk Montana until he was about 8 years old. He loved it there, Dog Creek ran by the school and it ran past his house where he and his brother and sister would walk or ice skate for 3 miles. They could take their guns to school and keep them in the back room to hunt on the way home. He loved to ride his horse, Queenie when they weren't busy haying or milking. Rick writes of how much he looked up to his Dad and how if anyone had a horse they couldn't ride they would bring it to his dad because he could ride the rank one. He goes on to say, "he could ride a young one, but he was gentle with them, every horse was his little buddy." Rick also writes how he knew from a very young age that he wanted to ride bareback horses, starting with riding his dad around the living room. His heroes were Johnny Carr (an all around cowboy) and Dennis Whorley. In 1961, Ricks Dad got a job with US fish and wildlife, then they moved to Brooks Montana where he loved to fish. In 1966, the family moved to Burns, Oregon where Rick attended Crane Union High School and graduated in 1971. During his high school years he played all sports and was a part of FFA. While in Oregon, he joined the Junior Rodeo. Rick started riding bareback and bull riding, he was very good at bull riding although he didn't like it because the bulls scared him. He writes how he spent many years riding bareback without any luck and then one night it clicked after he had been on a hundred head of horses.

Rick attended Montana State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business on Dec 16, 1977. After graduating from college, he also attended horse shoeing school and Auctioneer school as well. While at MSU on a rodeo scholarship, his events included bareback, bulldogging and he would switch ends in team roping. He made it to the College National Finals in 3 events. Rick went on to win the NRA in bareback in 1980. Rick writes, "after I won the NRA in 1980, I decided to quit riding bucking horses. I was at the top of my game and didn't want to spend years falling off, I wanted to quit while I was on top."  He continued to team rope at Jack pots and work the sale barn in Kalispell Montana and went on to be a rodeo Judge.

Rick moved to Worland, Wyoming about 1996 where he and his brother, Terry  owned Worland livestock Auction. His mother, Ruth helped in the office and his dad was always there helping. A couple years after buying the livestock, Rick met the Love of his life, Tammie, at the Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming while doing a video cattle auction. He would tell this story many times of how he wrote a number on the back of his meal ticket, it was for a business. Well, mama being the hostess, thought he was giving her his number so she called his hotel room. He said, "no that's not my number but I'll take yours."  One month later, he was back in Cody with his oldest son, Dusty and they went Dancing at Cassie's. He asked Mama to Dance to "keeper of the stars" and they had a kiss and have been together ever since. They each had 4 kids when they married on July 2, 1999. He was a loving and devoted father and when his four kids were younger, he was always a volunteer coach on their basketball and soccer teams. When he married Tammie and they became one, he never skipped a beat and he said, "I now have 8 kids. It's like a dysfunctional Brady bunch."  Rick and Tammie celebrated 24 wonderful years together this past July.

Rick and Tammie moved to Texas (Tammie's home state) in 2008.  Rick worked for Camp Cooley Ranch for about 8 years where he was Manager of the feeder cattle program and eventually the Ranch Manager. Rick always told everyone that he was meant to live in Texas and he never wanted to work another cow in the freezing cold and snow, "that was the shits." Rick and Tammie loved to dance and have a good time with family. They loved all their grandchildren and going to all their many events. Rick especially enjoyed sharing the love of Rodeo with his grandson, Kooper.

Rick was dedicated to his family. He loved his parents, his brother, his sister, wife, kids and grandchildren fiercely. Rick was the true definition of a Cowboy and a gentleman. He was a friend to all he came across. He was always willing to lend a hand to those close to him or a stranger. Rick had stories for days and could tell them well, when he talked you listened. He rarely got mad and he worked hard and played hard. Rick loved to play dominoes, have cold beer, be in the Water and bull shit. After back surgery in 2020, that left him with a drop foot, Rick decided he wanted to substitute teach. He would go on to substitute teach at Franklin High School where his grandson, Kooper attended school for few years. Rick was known as Papa to most of the kids. Rick touched many kids' lives and other teachers while he was there and one day the kids and staff even saved his life.  He loved them all dearly and they loved him. He always enjoyed going to watch "his boys" at Franklin Friday night Football games!

Rick will always be remembered for being a true cowboy and speaking the truth. He was the best husband, dad, Papa, brother, son and teacher of all life things. He was funny, he was positive and uplifting, loyal and kind, disciplined and passionate. He was the strongest man in our family. He never gave up and taught all the kids the same. We will all hope to leave our earthly home as good as you left it, when you got to heaven, we know God looked at you and said, "Rick, job well done, son."

Papa said, "the reason I'm old and wise is because God protected me when I was young and stupid. "

Rick was preceded in death by his loving parents, Norm and Ruth Warneke.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, wife, Tammie Kay Warneke; sons and daughter's in law, Dusty & Traci Feezell, Joel & Sara Warneke, Matt & Jenn Warneke and Buck Holleman; honorary sons, Mike Smith and Preston "Junior" Debault; Honorary Father, "papa" John Noey; Daughters and Son's-in-law; Whitney Warneke, Chastity Jones, Misty and Mikey Wainright and Kasey and Rusty Dazey.  He is also survived by his sister and her Husband, Dollie and Ron Behimer; his brother, Terry Warneke and many that were like sons and daughters to him; many grandchildren and adopted grandchildren: Jessika, Riah, Taime, Kooper, Gracie, Booker, Lily, Bodey, Aubrie, Katelynn, Lane, Reece, Ellie, Wyatt John and Roper. Three great grandchildren: Noah, Rylee and Miley

Ricks Celebration of life will be held on Saturday April 6th 2024 at 1:00P.M. at the Pridgeon Community Center in Franklin, Texas.

A slide show followed by a speaker, a word from the Pastor, then a special horse tribute will take place. The rest of the day will be a come and go with refreshments served.  We will have music, and a table set up with his many accomplishments and a fun dummy roping.

Please bring your corn hole, dominoes, or washer boards to play.

The true measure of a man is shown through his life's Journey, in the lives he's enriched and the Legacy of kindness he has given along the way.