Ricky Lee Fulton was born July 31, 1962, in Norman, Oklahoma, to Kenneth and Frances (Holley) Fulton. Ricky grew up in the Lucille community near Chickasha, Oklahoma. He attended Ninnekah Public Schools and graduated from Amber-Pocasset High School. After graduation, he attended Spartan College of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to become an airplane mechanic.

After receiving his pilot license, he flew crop dusters in Chickasha, Oklahoma; Ashland, Kansas; and Munday, Texas. He then went on to receive his helicopter license and worked in the Wichita, Kansas, area. He worked in Alaska for Tik-Chick Fishing Lodge as a bush pilot and for the Department of Defense in the country of Colombia. He also trained Colombian pilots in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He came back to Alex, Oklahoma, to start his own business, Custom Air. Afterwards, he worked in Wichita Falls, Texas; the Illinois area; and Altus, Oklahoma, as a spray pilot. In April 2020, he began working in Sterling, Colorado, as a single engine air tanker pilot with Aero SEAT, Inc.

For many years, he flew family and friends over the Chickasha Festival of Lights.

Ricky was active in the Oklahoma Aerial Applicators Association, Oklahoma Pilots Association, and a member of the AOPA and EAA.

Ricky passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, in Emmett, Idaho, while battling wildfires as an air tanker pilot.