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American Fork • A heartbroken family memorialized and buried Kay Porter Ricks, 63, on Saturday, fondly remembering a man known for being blunt, working hard, helping his neighbors and doting on his "sweetie" Lorie.

At the same time, they struggled to find forgiveness in the wake of his murder, which police believe may be tied to two men charged with kidnapping.

"I know my dad, Kay, has already forgiven the people who did this to him and the rest of us and he is sitting by and watching and waiting and hoping that the rest of us can forgive them as well," said his oldest son, Wynn Ricks, who said he continues to wrestle with anger. "I'm not claiming to have forgiven them yet, but we have to."

Ricks, an electrician for the Utah Transit Authority, disappeared while working at a light-rail station on May 12. Police found his body on May 17, partially concealed near a dirt road in the high desert south of Kemmerer, Wyo.

The same day he disappeared, police believe Flint Harrison, 51, and his son Dereck, 22, fled to Wyoming after a mother and four teenage daughters they had allegedly kidnapped had escaped. Police believe the Harrisons held the family in Centerville because they were worried the women would inform police about their methamphetamine use.

Police apprehended the Harrisons in Wyoming and transported them back to Davis County. Authorities eventually found Ricks' work truck, a white pickup, near Half Moon Lake in Wyoming. At this point, police haven't explained how Ricks died, and they have not publicly disclosed a solid connection between the two cases, but they say a link seems inevitable.

"It would be an amazing coincidence if they were not," Centerville Police Chief Paul Child said previously.

The Harrisons are not cooperating with investigators.

Ricks leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Lorie Ricks, as well as his three sons, their wives, and six grandchildren he enjoyed roughhousing with.

He grew up in Benson, Utah, and joined the Navy after high school, serving in the Vietnam War. His military career spanned 14 years between active duty, reserves and the Utah National Guard.

He worked as a master electrician and contractor at Geneva Steel for 20 years and eventually owned his own company. For the past six years, he worked for the transit authority.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in a bishopric and other callings. He was involved in the Boy Scouts, and his hobbies included riding motorcycles, off-road vehicles and camping. He enjoyed eating at Sizzler and listening to classical music while driving from a job site.

To mark the beginning of Ricks' memorial service, all UTA trains and buses in the state briefly stopped for a moment of silence and a short message was read by the train and bus operators. Also, all UTA vehicles kept their headlights on Friday and Saturday in a nod toward their fallen co-worker.

The transit agency's police department was out in force at the memorial service held at the American Fork West Stake Center before a crowd of hundreds.

Among those in attendance were his former LDS bishop and friend Justin Jones and his wife MaryAnn Jones.

She said Ricks "wasn't much of a conversationalist. He was all about work. He was very steady. He was always there to do."

That included handyman work for the widows in his neighborhood; housework for his mother, who lived in Logan; and odd jobs. His youngest son, Tyson Ricks, who was his apprentice for 10 years and now is an electrician, recalled working with his father to install a new roof, remodel a bathroom and redo a porch.

"I love being an electrician, and I'm so glad that I could learn from him," he said.

Justin Jones said Ricks wouldn't shy away from speaking his mind. Kay Ricks would come to the bishop's office each winter to donate money for neighbors who couldn't afford Christmas presents. One year, as he was leaving, he turned back and threw another $10 bill on Jones' desk.

As Jones recalls, Ricks told him: "Get your shoes shined. They look terrible. Remember, the eyes of the community are on you."

Jones knew that the details mattered to Ricks, a proud Navy veteran, so he put the $10 in the charity fund and then he got his shoes shined.

His sons faced the same no-nonsense talk. Joel Ricks, the second of the three sons, said when he called, his father would answer the phone by saying: "What do you need, Joel?" And he'd just say: "Hi, dad."

And yet, his father taught him how to work hard and care for his family and his community.

He said: "If I can have half the love and determination that my dad had, I can turn out to be a great man."

Twitter: @mattcanham