Saturday’s service stand down is not expected cause any notable delays, according to a press release from UTA. Train and bus operators will read a brief message before service resumes.
UTA will also be running all of their vehicles with their headlights on for Friday and Saturday, and flags on UTA property will be at half-staff both days from sunrise to sundown.
The press release from UTA states: “Thank you for your understanding as the entire UTA family wishes to honor our fellow employee. UTA continues to express its sincere condolences and support to Kay’s family. He will be greatly missed.”
AMERICAN FORK, Utah, May 26, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) –Kay Ricks, a UTA maintenance worker whose body was found in rural Wyoming, will receive an escort from police and UTA officials to his final resting place in Lehi.
The family of Kay Ricks announced funeral arrangements last week for the man described as a beloved husband, father and grandfather.
A public viewing for Ricks will be held 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, at Anderson Mortuary, 49 E. 100 North, American Fork. Funeral services will be at noon Saturday at the LDS Chapel, American Fork West Stake, 579 N. 689 West, American Fork.
American Fork Police Department and UTA said they will then escort Ricks to Lehi City Cemetery following the funeral services.
In addition, UTA has its own plans to honor Ricks. It will run trains and buses with their lights on Friday and Saturday, and will flags on UTA property will be at half-staff.
At noon Saturday, UTA buses and trains will stop briefly, and drivers will read a short message about the loss of Ricks.
“Thank you for your understanding as the entire UTA family wishes to honor our fellow employee,” a statement from the Utah Transit Authority said. “UTA continues to express its sincere condolences and support to Kay’s family. He will be greatly missed.”
Ricks, 63, disappeared from his maintenance route along with his UTA truck, on May 12. His body was found five days later in Wyoming about 16 miles south of Kemmerer, Wyo.
During a press conference on Wednesday of this week, FBI Special Agent Eric Barnhart, who oversees the Salt Lake City operations, said Flint Wayne Harrison and his son D.J. (Dereck James) Harrison — charged with kidnapping and assaulting a Centerville woman and her four daughters on May 10 — are considered persons of interest in the death of Ricks based on several factors he was not yet willing to disclose.
Police say the Harrisons were believed to have headed to Wyoming after the kidnapping. Flint Harrison turned himself in to authorities in Sublette County on May 14, and on the same day helped officers locate son D.J. Harrison, who had been camping in the Half Moon Lake area of Sublette County.
Ricks’ body was found in a rural area in nearby Lincoln County the night of May 17, and his truck was found May 19 near the same lake where D.J. Harrison had been found camping.
The Ricks family released a statement thanking all those involved with the search, and adding that they believe Ricks’ spirit still lives.
“The family takes comfort in their faith and knowledge that though Kay’s body may be dead, they know he lives and that they will see him again.”
