Theodore “Rick” Richard Choy N3HXT

Date of Death: June 23, 2025

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service

Victory Church

2870 Middle Road

Winchester, VA 22655

Monday 7/7, 11:00 am

memorial

In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions may be made to

Point FM Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 36
Gore, Virginia 22637

On June 23, 2025, Rick made his entrance into his new eternal home. No doubt, many friends and loved ones welcomed him with great joy, and he heard the words of his Father, “Welcome home, my son. You have been good and faithful. Enter into the joys I have prepared for you.”

Rick lived a full and productive life. He was a master musician, a studio producer, an author of the book, “The Thinking Prepper.” He was a radio station manager and broadcast engineer for the family gospel radio station. He maintained the transmitters of several radio stations in the Shenandoah Valley. Rick also provided sound support for Cedar Creek Civil War re-enactments, Apple Blossom events and county fairs. He had been a certified NRA instructor for concealed carry permits and firearms safety. He provided security for local churches. Rick was a founding member of the Mountain Patriots Educational Ministries, and was a disaster preparation specialist. Rick was also a ham radio operator, and owned several businesses in the broadcasting electronics and engineering fields.

In addition to his many accomplishments, Rick was also a very frequent customer of a certain restaurant that specialized in chicken. From his many visits, he earned the name of Rick-Fil-A.

Rick Choy entered this world on June 11, 1949. His parents, Ted and Leona Choy, were missionaries and pastors. He spent his early years in Montgomery County, Maryland. He moved to the Shenandoah Valley in the late 1970s, and he settled here. He served in the United States Army and held the rank of Spec 5 Sergeant. He worked at NPR and Broadcast Electronics. In the 1980s, he and his parents established Timber Ridge Ministries, Inc which oversaw the radio station WTRM. At the time of his leaving, he was involved with the Point FM Ministries and radio stations WVRS, WVRX and WRCH.

Rick is survived by his brothers, Clifford (Joanne) Frederick, Maryland, Gary (Theresa) Palm Bay, Florida and Jeffrey, Palm Bay, Florida, and many, many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 11:00am at Victory Church, 2870 Middle Road, Winchester, VA 22601. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Point FM Ministries Inc., P.O. Box 36, Gore, VA 22637.

Jacqui Surber

Mike MacKinnon

Alan and Carol wang

Meg Safranek

Donna Houghton

Light a candle

Victory Church

2870 Middle Road

Winchester, VA 22655

Map

Monday 7/7, 11:00 am

In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions may be made to

Point FM Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 36
Gore, Virginia 22637

See Condolences

I thought I would post the reading I made at Rick;s service for those who could not attend. "What to say about my best friend, mentor, humorist, writer, audio and RF Engineer, Bee Keeper, a man with a true renaissance man with a plethora of talents? I loved him like a brother. It’s been about 50 years since we first met. We had a common interest in amateur radio and electronics technology. Rick was truly a kindred spirit. We rapidly became friends. He would come up with in-genius and interesting ways to solve problems. After all good engineers solve problems. Rick was certainly one of those. We played off of each other’s skills and we both became much better for it. Rick had a way about him and those that knew him understood his special charm. I will miss his intelligent soft spoken way and his great since of humor. I have become a better person because of my association with Rick. This world would be much better off if we had millions like him. I would like to quote a couple of passages that I feel appropriate: Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Rick did that Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." Rick was ALWAYS there to help you up. There will be a void in all of us due to Rick’s passing but I will take comfort in knowing that he is now with his beloved mother and father and is in heaven with his God."

Our Dearest Jeffrey, brothers Cliff and Gary, and the remainder of your entire Family- Please accept our Sincerest Condolences for the loss of your brother Rick. While not having the pleasure of personally meeting Rick (that I'm able to recall), he was obviously a man worthy of commemorating his many, many extraordinary accomplishments. Particularly those of God's works and in aiding your parents to spread The Word of His Church and just being there for them and helping to take care of your lovely mother, Leona, all of those years after your Dad was called "Home". Just as you did Jeffrey. Your family is an extremely blessed and special gift from God and we are All certainly so very blessed He has brought you and your family into our lives! As we grieve for and with Each Of You...May Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Most Holy Mother comfort you, hold you tightly, mend your broken hearts and bring you tears of Joy knowing that someday you/(we) shall reunite in His Heavenly Kingdom. May Rick's Memory Be Eternal!☦️☦️☦️ We love you and your most blessed, extremely talented and unique, beautiful and very special Family, Jeffrey! We are so very sorry!💖💔 With Tons of Love & Huge Hugs, Jacqui & Joshua Surber

To the Choy families. It is hard to fathom that Rick is gone, but he will never ever be forgotten. We know that he is with his Lord/Savior, Jesus Christ along with your parents, grandparents, loved ones & friends. I have known Rick for many years, since about 1987, when he would come to lunch at Hardee's on Rt 50 east. It would always be the same, a salad & drink. Those were the good salads back then. I friend of mine, Robin Butt's introduced me to Rick & the radio station, WTRM. I became a volunteer, met your mom who I fell in love with, then they needed an actual addition to the station & I came aboard in 2001. We had a Wonderful time sharing the Gospel with so many either through the airwaves, different events outside the station, but especially with the Open Houses where everyone enjoyed Rick's Chicken. It was one of a kind & he kept his recipes a secret even to the staff. Rick, was a character, he could be laughing/cutting up,but also Leader we could trust. Even after I left the radio station, we still kept in touch, either seeing each other out & about, or just a phone call/text. He was a Huge impact on my life & I will miss him terribly, but I know I will see him again in Heaven. Thank you for sharing your Brother & Parents with the world. I regretfully will not be able to attend the service as I am down with Bronchitus or the Flu, and do not want to disrupt the Service. If there are any funeral folders/phamplelets left, I would like to have one. I can pick it up at the funeral home at a later date. My thoughts/Prayers are with all the family & know Rick was Loved by many. Roberta Varner Aka Bobbie Jo Rest in Peace Rick and we will find you again at Jesus's feet

I was shocked and saddened to learn of Rick’s passing. We just ran into him recently at Chick Fil A and always have a great conversation. He never seemed to have a bad word to say. He was also the Shenandoah Valley Amateur Radio Club President when I first joined back in 1998 (still have membership card with his signature). R.I.P. dear friend; until we meet again.

Rick became an instant family friend when we met him some 20 years ago. One or two Sunday dinners and our kids were calling him “Uncle Rick,” because he was far too special to call “Mr.” We cannot skip mention of what a generous person he was. Even with that huge intellect, he was a down to earth, hard-working, wholehearted helper. His knowledge and resourcefulness was absolutely vast, and he just really seemed to enjoy sharing it in meaningful ways. He’d drop everything to come dig you out of the snow. This I know first hand. He once tuned my old clunker piano for me. “I’ll do it for you,” I remember him saying enthusiastically. Was there anything he could not do, or figure out how to do? He gifted our daughter the most beautiful acoustic guitar for her birthday one year, simply because she had wanted to learn. I don’t think we have ever known anybody quite like Rick, and for so many, many reasons, and by so many, he will truly be missed.

Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.

In memory of Theodore “Rick” Richard Choy N3HXT, Mike MacKinnon lit a candle

To a Great Friend who will be very much missed. I worked with Rick for over 20 years at the Cedar Creek Battle re-enactments - and he was alway kind, charitable and a great Christian gentleman. We were blessed to have him - and continue to be blessed by his example and inspiration. Rick - you are truly home and are also home in our hearts.

Cliff sorry to hear about Dick's passing. I think i meet him first as we were the same age. When i think back for some crazy reason i remembered how we all usef to wrestle and ride bikes. I still remember that old tree that was next to your house before it died. Condolences to you and your family.

He was also very proud of his pork barbecue. I'm Jewish, but it made my mouth water ever time I walked past his cooker. He was also a builder. I can point out structures he put up while riding around the Valley. Plus he had a way with children, birds, bees, cats, and words...but if the list of his skills, accomplishments, and principles were all listed, many people would think we're making it all up.

Thankful to the great job him and his family did of bringing Christian radio to this area. Still enjoy listening to WVRS FM radio station.

In memory of Theodore “Rick” Richard Choy N3HXT, Meg Safranek lit a candle

We are so saddened to hear of your passing. Although you aren't part of the family anymore you will still always have a place in our hearts. I'm so glad that you got to see Angela's first son. She knows and was extremely saddened as well. We also appreciate how you helped fix our house up when the kids moved in. You will always have a place in our hearts.

I am so sorry and saddened to hear of Rick's passing. He was such a nice man. He will be greatly missed.

I had the privilege of working with Rick for over 20 years through the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation Reenactment. He was a wonderful friend, a steadfast supporter of both Middletown and the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, and always brought a kind word and a smile — whether out at the battlefield or bumping into him at Chick-fil-A. He will be deeply missed.

He was such a good friend and I miss him so much already. He taught me radio and so much about healthy living, for which I am forever grateful. We will meet again in eternity.

You will be missed, my friend.

I grieve for the loss of my best friend of over 40 years. There are so many great things we accomplished together. You were truly the renaissance man. There was nary a thing you could not do. When there was a challenge that I thought could not be done you proved us wrong every time. You were a persom with great vison a trait which many lack. Your sense of humor was infectious. On those many trips to the hamvention on your bus you loved teasing Ali about the brakes or steering having issues, when there were none. I will miss you just like a brother but i know you are in a better place and with your wonderful mother now. RIP my dear friend.

Rick you are missed and one of a kind...hope our paths cross again...sorry you went a bit early...blessings.... Mark and Margie

The tears started flowing today. Until now, I have just been processing it. The moment it hit me was when I realized how much he left behind, all around me. Rick built homes, towers, radio stations, and so much else. He taught me so much about my own field of work. He guided so many people in their lives. His impact will be felt every day for so many people. The secret to his ability to accomplish such great things isn't really a secret. He raised glory to God in everything he did. His radio stations are gospel stations. His life shows us what can be ours if we allow Jesus to flow through us and take control of our lives. A giant has walked among us.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.