Rick L. Law

Rick L. Law, 76, of Sumner, IL, died at home on Sunday, November 16, 2025. He was born on August 4, 1949, in Hopkinsville, KY, the son of Brooksy Cain. His life unfolded far from where it began, and he eventually put down roots in Urbana, IL, where he became a roofer. For more than forty years, he worked on roofs all over the area. He was also good with his hands in every other part of life. He built his own house. He repaired whatever broke. He even spent time assembling detailed models, whether it was a car or one of the iconic movie monsters he loved. More importantly, he checked on things for people who needed help. If his kids dreamed something up, he figured out a way to make it happen. He was there for his family in the most practical, dependable ways. And even though he was known for being something of a grump, the people inside his circle knew the truth. He loved them fiercely.

Rick also had a long love of cars. He followed Dale Earnhardt and watched NASCAR faithfully. He went to the Brickyard 400 several times and always took his family along. He also enjoyed putting model cars together, but his favorite projects were the full-sized ones. His 1965 Galaxie 500 became his signature. He had originally bought it for his wife to drive, but decided to spruce it up and take it to countless car shows. It won many Best of Show awards over the years.

Though he was a devoted car enthusiast, music was the passion that ran deepest. His tastes were broad, but his foundations were solid: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and a long list of bands that shaped the soundtrack of his life. Rick collected albums, memorabilia, and antiques for more than forty years. That love of collecting eventually turned into a dream come true. In 2020, he and his wife, Tracy, moved to Sumner and opened Retro Records and Junk Junkies. Retro Records was filled with decades of albums and music history, including several pieces he had no intention of selling, proudly marked “Display Only”. Junk Junkies held the antiques and memorabilia he had gathered over the years. The shops were extensions of Rick himself. They existed because he wanted to share what he loved. Selling things was optional.

Rick was a quiet man unless the topic was music or politics. Then he had plenty to say. His silence never meant disinterest. It meant he was paying attention. And when he did speak, his family listened because they knew it mattered. More often, though, he let his actions speak for him. He showed up. He stayed. He put his hands to the work that needed to be done. That was how he loved his family, and that is how he will be remembered.

He married Tracy Schubert in Urbana on March 26, 1983, and she survives. He is also survived by his five children, Shane (Jose) Law, Jennifer Sutherland, Christopher Law, Misty (Roy) Ewing, and Megan (Shelby) Jones; by twelve grandchildren, Kenon, Shawnee, Kalvin, Christopher, Cheyanna, Jonah, Rahmello, Quentin, Dascia, Esko, Jeremy, and Angel; and thirteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, and by his grandson, Jahiem.

Rick will be cremated without a public service. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is assisting the family at this time. Memorials may be made to his wife, Tracy Law, and donations to Tracy can be submitted online at www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/payments.