Ricky Clinebell (Richard Hubbard Clinebell, Jr.), 65, of Hinton, WV, passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center following a short illness.

Ricky was born on October 18, 1956 in Hinton, WV to Janice Marie Yancey (Coughenour) and Richard Hubbard Clinebell, Sr. He lived in Hinton most of his life with brief periods in Raleigh, NC, and in Turrialba, Costa Rica. He was a graduate of Hinton High School and was a self-employed contractor. And he was a member of Central Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, both in Hinton.

Ricky was a free spirit and loved the river almost as much as he loved his family and friends. He lived a life full of adventure from whitewater rafting in Fayetteville, WV and in Costa Rica to flying his ultralight aircraft over the West Virginia mountains and hiking at age 64 in Colorado with his son. He had a knack for bringing out the adventurous side in everyone; his mother Janice's one and only airplane trip was to visit him in Costa Rica–a trip she always cherished and remembered fondly. He was also inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame as the first videographer on the Gauley River.

He will be remembered for his hard-working spirit, his love for the river, his generous, loyal heart, and his fierce love for his family and friends. He was the kind of big brother or friend you could call on day or night.  "Uncle RiRi" had special names for all of his many nieces and nephews, and he'll always hold a special place in their hearts. He was the life of any party, and he could always be counted on for a funny story or a witty remark.

Anyone who knew Ricky knew that his love for his son, Quito (Zachary Tyler) Clinebell was unmatched. Quito being born changed Ricky forever in the best way, and his legacy of adventure, hard work, strength, and joy lives on through Quito.

Ricky is preceded in death by his mother, Janice Coughenour, his father, Hubbard Clinebell, his stepfather, Bruce Richmond, and his brother, Chris Coughenour.

His surviving family members are numerous and include:

Two children: Missy Clinebell of Hinton and Quito (Zachary Tyler) Clinebell of Aurora, CO.

Two grandchildren: Gage Lowe and Starr Lowe

His siblings and their partners: Becca Blackmon and Jeff Brehm of Salisbury, NC; Mary Pat and Eugene Jones of Meadow Creek, WV; Susan Coughenour Lowe of Talcott, WV; Kelly and Mike Harvey of Meadow Creek, WV, Colleen and Brian Watson of Westfield, IN, and Shaun Clinebell of Orlando, FL.

His nieces and nephews: Hannah Blackmon, Luke Jones, Joshua Maddy, Savannah Lowe, Tucker Lowe, Grace Harvey, Noah Harvey, Kaela Coughenour, Brady Coughenour, Asher Coughenour, Anna Watson, and Nora Watson.

In place of a traditional service, there will be a celebration of life planned at a later date.