Richard "Ricky" Corey Thomas was born May 23, 1954 in Canton, Ohio to Elizabeth (Holston) Thomas and Richard Thomas.  He departed this life   Wednesday, December 12, 2017 after a brief illness.  Ricky lived in Canton for the past 51 years after   moving from Waynesburg when he was 12 years old.  He graduated from McKinley High School in 1972.  The one sport that he participated in, in high school was wrestling.  He attended Kent State University from 1972 until 1973. Ricky was employed at The Hoover Company, YMCA-Meyers Lake and Goodwill, Inc. Preceded in death by his father Richard D. Thomas; brother, Paul Thomas; grandmothers, Alice Holston and Mattie Stevens; grandfathers, Clem Holston and Shedrick Thomas; aunt, Rebecca Choice.  He leaves to cherish his memory (2) brothers, Ben (Diana) Thomas, "Little Richard" and a sister Jolaine Wilcox; special aunt, Aileen; special cousins, Joey Thomas and Umble Jean Owens; others cousins and friends and several nieces and nephews; special friend, Art Whitmore, who was very influential in changing the direction of his life. He will be deeply missed.