On May 29, 2023, Peoria, Illinois, resident Rick James Ranson, aged 30, passed away at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. Born on September 10, 1992, to Joyce Hope and William "Bill" Ransom Jr., Rick attended Woodruff High School. He was a music artist known by the stage name "Youngg World Gutta Gang KGB," performing in various cities where he rapped, recorded, and sang. Music, his mother, and his children were central to his life. Rick also enjoyed watching URL Battle Rap on television.
In addition to his musical pursuits, Rick operated a lawn business called Youngg World. He had a passion for playing online video games, basketball, and barbecuing. An avid dog breeder, he owned nine dogs and was dedicated to walking all of them. Rick cherished his two classic cars: a Lincoln Town Car and a 1996 Chevy Impala. Known for his unique dietary preference, he consumed only meat, humorously claiming an allergy to vegetables.
Rick is survived by his father, William "Bill" (Bunnie) Ransom Jr. of Peoria; two sons, Ny'Mari Ranson of Selma, Texas, and Myaire Tinsley of Peoria; two daughters, Iyla Tinsley of Peoria and Nuri Ranson of Selma; three brothers, Lindsay Anderson of Atlanta, Georgia, Derrick Anderson of Peoria, and William Prospt of Chicago; five sisters, Kandyce Williams of Cahokia, Illinois, Kenyetta Williams of Belleville, Illinois, Keanna Randle of Houston, Texas, Yaisha Marshall of Burlington, Iowa, and Nicole Ransom of Chicago; his girlfriend, Olexis Evans of Peoria; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, one brother, William Ransom III, and his maternal grandmother, Dorothy Hope.
Tragically, Rick's death resulted from a shooting incident on Memorial Day. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the 2000 block of North Gale Avenue, where they found Rick with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. He was transported to the hospital but was pronounced dead shortly before 9:30 p.m. A woman was also injured in the incident but survived with non-life-threatening injuries. Rick's passing marked Peoria's eighth homicide of 2023.
A memorial service for Rick will be held at a later date, with arrangements entrusted to Simons Mortuary. Online condolences may be made at SimonsMortuary.com.
