Richard Lee

Richard Lee, 75, of Harrison, AR, and formally of Battle Creek, MI, died on Thursday January 4th, 2018 at Cox Health Systems South in Springfield, MO after a long illness.

Richard was born on November 7, 1942 in Kennett, MO, the son of Marie Erma (Lowe) Lee and adopted by Frederick V. Lee. His adopted father served with the U.S. Navy, so Richard grew up in various places. Richard also served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. He was a Vietnam veteran and travelled all over the world. Richard was proud to have earned a Bachelor's degree in 1997, at the age of 55. After the service, he was employed at several jobs, eventually retiring from the Veterans Administration in Battle Creek.

Richard was united in marriage to Nancy L. Beckett on September 11, 1966. Surviving are Nancy, his wife of 51 years; four sons, Robin E. Lee, of Harrison AR, Kevin S. (Teresa) Lee of Ceresco MI, Richard F. L. (Tina) Lee of Galesburg MI, and Sean P (Bonnie) Lee of Crystal Lake IL. A grandson Jeremy S. Lee is currently serving in the U.S. Navy in Virginia. He has five additional grandchildren and one great grandson in the area. He is also survived by a sister, Susan Anderson, of Florida, and a brother, Louis Lee, of Battle Creek MI. He was preceded in death by a son, Larry Decroix, of Harrison AR, a brother Robert Lee of Chicago IL, and a sister, Marietta Smith of Texas.

Richard was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, VFW, and the American Legion. He enjoyed cooking, woodworking, painting, fishing, and collecting cars. He will be remembered as a consummate optimist and dreamer who was proud of his family and military career.

Friends and family will be received at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home and Cremation Care, on Capital Avenue, Battle Creek, at 12:00 noon Friday, January 19th, 2018, with funeral services held immediately following at 12:30 pm. Military honors and committal will follow at FT. Custer National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.
Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.