Richard “Ric” Hamilton Cratte Obituary

Richard “RIC” Hamilton, 68, of Queen Creek, AZ, died December 2, 2020, at Dignity Heath Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.

Ric was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec. 17, 1951, to David and Barbara Cratte, and has resided in Queen Creek for over 20 years. He grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona and was a 1969 graduate of Scottsdale High School. After graduation Ric served his country in the U.S. Navy.

Ric’s passion to serve led him to a remarkable career as a Firefighter where he worked for over 38 years for the Rural Metro Fire Department serving in Scottsdale, Mesa and Queen Creek. Working his way up from Cadet, Ric held the positions of County Fireman, Station Captain, Battalion Chief and Fire Marshall. Before retiring in 2016, Ric served 7 years in the Casa Grande Fire Prevention Department.

Rick was larger than life, a man’s man with a big personality and an ever- growing list of friends. He led a life of service starting in the Navy that continued throughout his life and career as a Firefighter. Ric was a people person, a man who had great passion for the men and women with whom he served. Ric loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting and travel. But his top priority was his two sons. The pride he had in both of them was obvious to all and his love for them was the driving force in his life to the very end.

IN HIS LIFE: Ric leaves behind his two sons, David Hamilton III and Jacob Lawrence. He was the brother of Victoria “Vickie” Lynn Shoopman and Kenneth “Ken” Steven Cratte. Nephew, Chad Shoopman. Nieces, Brandi Dignum and Beth Lashment. Great Nieces, Katrina Dignum, Autumn Lashmet, and Sophia Shoopman. Great Nephews, Kirk Dignum and Grant Lashmet. Cousins, Charlie and Al Beck, Craig, Chris and Cindy Sisco, Tammy, Holly and Roddy Woodward. He is preceded in death by his Mother, Barbara Cratte, Father, David Cratte, and Brother, David Lawrence Cratte. Uncles Al Beck, Clyde Beck, Glenn Sisco and Alfred Woodward. Aunts Virginia Beck and Lucy Sisco.

Ric’s family would like to thank the amazing staff of nurses and doctors in the ICU at Dignity Heath Mercy Gilbert Medical Center who were so caring during Ric’s hospitalization.

SERVICES: COVID restrictions prevent us from holding an in-person event for all of Ric’s many friends and relatives.

Private Family Internment Services will be held on January 8th at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

Ric’s Firefighter family is planning a virtual celebration of Ric’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Go Fund Me page setup in Ric’s memory to help support his sons, David and Jake, with funeral costs and living expenses. Please follow the link below:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/cratte-family?sharetype=teams&member=7175086&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&rcid=f03a08dc716f47e69a4add4ac15caaba