Richard "Rick" M. Handy, 56, of Harrisonville, Missouri, died Sunday, February 28, 2010 in St. Joseph, MO. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville. A visistation will be held Friday, March 5 from 6-9 p.m. at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville.

Rick was born to the union of Richard M. Handy (Pleasant Hill, MO) and Priscilla P. (Allen) Handy (Harrisonville, MO) on February 28, 1954 in Kansas City, MO. He was raised in Harrisonville by his maternal grandfather, Alvard O. Allen, Sr. and his step-grandmother, Ruth A. Allen, after the death of his mother in 1964.

Rick was a 1973 graduate of Harrisonville High School. He enjoyed sports and excelled in track, basketball and football. He belonged to the Church of God in Christ and devoutly believed in God his entire life.

Although not bookish, Rick was extremely intelligent and a gentleman. He spoke his mind clearly and concisely and served as a mentor to his peers. In Handy Vs. the State of Missouri, he championed the cause of residents of state-run mental health facilities.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents, Reuben and Maureen Handy and William D. Allen, Sr. and Violetta M. Allen, who contributed to his early upbringing. He is survived by one brother, Maurice Handy of Harrisonville, MO; eight other siblings who are aunts and uncles, many beloved cousins and his best friend, Tom Snead.