Gregory Ricardo "Ricky" Waring, Sr., 71, of Waldorf, Maryland.

What started as a sudden, strong, summer thunderstorm ended in a beautiful double rainbow over Washington, DC as Gregory Ricardo Waring, Sr., transitioned on Friday, July 14, 2023.

Gregory was born to James and Shirley Waring on March 27, 1952 in Washington, D.C., but "Ricky" was from Bryans Road, Maryland, where he developed his deep sense of family.  His father, James, died in the Korean War when Ricky was just a one-year-old.  In addition to his mother, Ricky and his older brother, Larry, were essentially raised by his grandparents, Hinton and Mary Morton.

Ricky graduated from Henry E. Lackey High School in 1972.  One of his early jobs was managing the gas station at the Naval Ordinance Station in Indian Head, Maryland (now the Naval Surface Warfare Center).  However, following his brother, Larry, Ricky started a career in telecommunications working for a telecom company in Washington D.C., then, for a contractor servicing the Central Intelligence Agency in Virginia, and ultimately installing telephone and intercom systems for Larry's own company, Professional Communications.  His customers were big and small, including Peoples Drug (now CVS) throughout the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.

"Bloodworm" – Ricky's citizens band (CB) radio handle, named after a well known custom red van that he owned in his early years – had a love for driving, working on, and taking care of vehicles. Ricky could drive anything. Put a trailer on it?  Even better. He even spent time driving semi-trucks across the country for a moving company. But working on vehicles is where he really shined. Ricky was as good a "body man" as he was a mechanic. He was mostly self-taught, but did pick the brain of family mechanic "Uncle Jim" Marbury and others to help him along the way. The vans, Ford Broncos, pickups, Corvette, and '56 Chevy Bel Air that he brought back to life and restored over the years were well known.  But more than his own vehicles, Ricky used his talent to help others.  Many came to Ricky for his help with vehicle maintenance and repair, and with his kind, giving, and gentle spirit he obliged.

What did Ricky do in his down time?  Tinker in the garage of course.  You could find him early on a Saturday morning under the hood of a project, WHUR playing blues music in the background, and his best friend Arthur Swann either there in-person or on the phone with him talking through where to find the part, what tool to use, and what they should do next.  Ricky also enjoyed late night Bid Whist card games with his Uncle Joe Waring, his brother Larry, and others.

As Ricky grew older he took to landscaping and excavating – acquiring, repairing, and operating back hoes, tractors, and other machinery. For years he took care of the grounds and cemetery of Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Bryans Road.  His attention to detail and pride showed in the work and care he put into Metropolitan.

He loved his two sons, Gregory and Patrick, very much. He was always there when they needed a hand with a vehicle, a move, and a project. When they visited him on the weekends, he made his famous spaghetti, taught them basic mechanic skills, and instilled his sense of decency and kindness.  Ricky could not have been prouder of his two grandchildren, Isaiah and Mya. He lived with them in a big extended family, proudly helping with school drop offs and pickups, sports practices, tractor rides, and being the keeper of the snacks in the house.

Ricky is preceded in death by his parents, James Phillip Waring and Shirley Melvina DeShazo.  He is survived by his brother, Larry Waring (Ann),  sons, Gregory Waring, Jr. and Patrick Waring, his forever daughter-in-law, Jasmine Waring, and grandchildren, Isaiah and Mya. He is also survived by his nephews, James "JP" Waring and Desmond Waring, niece, Trina Hedgepeth, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Family Gathering, 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 11, 2023, until time of Memorial Service, 11:00 a.m., at Metropolitan United Methodist Church, 3385 Metropolitan Church Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.