Ricky Lynn Yow

Ricky Lynn Yow, age 60, of Sanford, NC, passed away Thursday, June 27, 2024, at his home, to be with his Lord and Savior.

He was born in Lee County to the late Preston Yow and Agnes Jones Yow.  Ricky worked many years for GKN and over 20 years for Pentair.  He was a devout Christian and long-time member of Flint Hill Baptist Church in Robbins, NC.  He surrendered his life to the Lord early on and was a dedicated follower of Christ.  Ricky was an avid fisherman and loved fishing on the coast.  He also loved spending time golfing with his brother and friends.  He also enjoyed hunting and spending time with his family.

Ricky is survived by his brother Danny Yow (Kathy); sister Angela Yow West (Mike); nieces Heather Yow Thomas (Dustin), Sesily West  Maness (Kevin), Hayley Yow Mansfield (Taylor); nephews Noah West, Heath Yow; great-nieces and nephews Ryan Maness, Presley Maness, Graham Mansfield and his fur-baby yorkie Pepper.

The family will receive friends Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Flint Hill Baptist Church with Pastor William Hancock officiating.  Burial will follow at Lee Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 or www.diabetes.org.   Please read Ricky’s full life-story and testimony on our website, under his obituary or follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/RickyYowNeedsakidney.

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It's with heavy hearts we share that Ricky has gone on to be with his Lord and Savior. We post his story again as one that illustrates a faith most of us only pray to have. He will be missed dearly but we are thankful he is now free from pain.
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In life we all experience trials that can reveal a lot about who we are and where we draw strength from. Most of us can say that we don’t have a high tolerance for extended trials. Yet, a few individuals amaze us with how much they can handle in life and still persevere.

Throughout the life of Ricky Yow, one can see a lifetime of trials with his health. Most are not aware of the struggles Ricky has endured. Despite the hardships, he gives God the glory for his positive outlook in life.
Ricky was born on a chilly December day to Preston and Agnes Yow. He is the middle child and has an older brother and younger sister. Life would be normal for Ricky until he reached the age of four when he experienced his first seizure. Doctors prescribed sugar water as treatment, and the causation remained unknown.

Relief came at his seven-year-old routine check-up. There they discovered that sugar regulation was the root cause of his seizures. Answers seemed to be on the horizon when the doctors admitted Ricky to the hospital for tests. But hopes deflated when he came down with the Chicken Pox and doctors sent Ricky home to recover. For the next seven years, Ricky received sugar water when he experienced a seizure.

At fourteen years of age, Ricky was finally diagnosed with hyperinsulinemia. Due to excessive insulin, Ricky’s sugar would drop and cause seizures. This was a never-ending battle for him. The severity of his condition, and no medication, affected his life in lasting ways. Inability to attend school K-5, no sports, and often experiencing no social time with others his age.

To help manage the excessive insulin produced by Ricky’s body, Doctors removed 80% of his pancreas. The surgery was invasive. Medical knowledge at the time was nowhere near where it is today. As a result, Ricky developed a very serious infection that led to an extra 10% loss of his pancreas. Post-surgery, fluid infiltrated the area surrounding his lungs. To save Ricky's life he endured what most would consider a traumatic experience. The doctors ordered Ricky’s mom to leave the hospital because of what needed to happen next to save Ricky’s life. Without anesthesia, the doctors cut open Ricky’s side. They entered through his ribs and drained the fluid from his chest. Excruciating screams sounded up and down the halls of the hospital. These screams would haunt his father forever. High temperatures, ice baths, and surgical sight draining occurred for 7 weeks.

While on the hospital bed, Ricky surrendered to his Lord and Savior. He recognized the only person that was in control of his situation was God. He prayed “Lord if I am to get out of this hospital, you are going to have to get me out. Only you can heal me and let me go home." Ricky leaned on his Lord and Savior which would be the start of his source of strength for the days to come. The doctors told Ricky he could go home, the next day.

The summer of ‘77 was monumental for the family in many ways. His sister spent days and weeks with cousins while he was hospitalized. Ricky's mom spent hours by his bedside. Preston had many long working days as he worked to pay the rising hospital bills. All to make Ricky’s quality of life better.

That summer also would result in Ricky being a diabetic.

After returning home from the lengthy hospital stay, Ricky would experience yet another seizure. With only 10% of his pancreas left, insulin helped manage his blood sugar levels. A neurosurgeon found the new cause of these episodes: scar tissue over his right eye. Epilepsy was the new diagnosis. This was the main cause of many of the experienced seizures. New medication controlled the seizures and gave new hope to Ricky's life.

The last 45 years for Ricky have consisted of managing his diabetes. Like most diabetics, kidney failure is a common result of this disease. By the grace of God, Ricky has been able to experience Covid without issue and live at a kidney function level of 9%. With the expertise of a new doctor, self-research, and a supportive family, Ricky now has an AV- Fistula. He receives dialysis three times a week.

Dialysis has not come without complications. Due to excessive scar tissue, Ricky's peritoneal catheter failed. The AV fistula is now the last step before another invasive option. Ricky has been on the Kidney transplant list for 2 years now. He maintains the hope that one day a special donor will come along. Due to medical family history, family donors are not an option.

If you were to ask Ricky what kind of life he has lived, he would say a blessed one. A life that the Lord wills. He would tell you that every moment we experience in life has a greater purpose. Ricky would also say that our lives are in God’s hands and that he is the designer of it all.

Ricky’s prayer is to let God’s will be done. And, that a donor would come along who would feel the Lord’s leading to give Ricky an extended life free of dialysis. A life that would allow him to continue to do the things he loves. Spend time on his boat, with his great-niece and nephews, and golfing with his brother. Tinkering in the yard with his tools, keeping up his lawn, and playing with his puppy, Pepper. Enjoying each day, the Lord has given him and glorifying Jesus for all He has brought him through.

Two years later, it can be said that Ricky continued to live his life for the Lord. He gave God praise for every breath. Since actively pursuing a kidney transplant, Ricky faced thyroid cancer, thyroid removal, open heart surgery, and continued dialysis. He continued to amaze doctors, his physicians, and nurses, with his recovery from each. He was always careful to give glory to God. After a decline in endurance and new symptoms, it was discovered Ricky’s bypass failed and would need a heart transplant. With the updated news Ricky stated to his sister, “Don’t you worry. God has this. What He does is right. I’m good either way. I’m ready.” Ricky passed the next morning in his home. He is now with his Lord and Savior free of pain and reunited with his Mom and Dad.

He will be missed dearly. His Godly walk and example will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him.

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