Thomas Richard "Dick" Dees, age 82, was born in Mobile, AL on February 4, 1938 to Thomas E.L. and Norma Martha (Blanchard) Dees, and went home to be with our Lord on October 11, 2020. Dick grew up in Mobile and Grand Bay, AL. After graduating from Birmingham Southern in 1963, he worked for the USDA for 30 years before retiring in 1997. Dick was a family man, married 3 times and had 5 children and 2 stepchildren. Dick was affirming, using his skill for writing with near perfect penmanship, he never forgot a birthday or special moment. Dick had many talents, but especially enjoyed gardening, cooking, traveling, watching Alabama football, and reading. He made the best gumbo around (some would say) and never missed an opportunity to “people watch.” He loved a good Pirates Cove roast beef PoBoy, a cold Barqs root beer, and a sweet slice of Alabama-grown watermelon. He will be remembered for his crystal blue eyes and big heart. The world was better because you were in it, Dick! How grateful we are that we had the good fortune to be part of your story. You will be truly missed and forever loved! Dick was preceded in death by his parents Thomas E.L. and Norma Martha (Blanchard) Dees, his siblings Patricia Dolores and Daniel Albert Dees. He is survived by his wife, Susan Jean Dees (Fairhope, AL), 2 sisters, Norma Elizabeth Sessions (Mobile, AL), Eleanor Judith “Judi” McNichol (Mobile, AL), 1 brother, Leighton Benoist Dees, his 5 children: Richard Bradley Dees (Stone Mountain, GA), Joseph Clayton Dees (Cumming, GA), Marla Elizabeth Dees Meyer (Ball Ground, GA), Bruce Lessler Dees (Etowah, NC), Ansley Blanchard Dees Weeks (Mills River, NC), 2 step children: Todd Edward Schroeder and Tobin Craig Schroeder, 11grandchildren: Brian Dees, Cameron Dees, Lauren Dees, Kara Dees, Tyler Dees, Matthew Dees, Dane Meyer, Dalton Meyer, Kestrel Weeks, Aaron Schroeder, and Blake Schroeder, 1 great-grandchild: Beckett Meyer and many other family members, and countless friends. Dick’s Memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Central Time on November 7, 2020 at the Chapel at Camp Beckwith, 10400 Beckwith Ln, Fairhope, AL 36532. His interment will follow at Grand Bay Cemetery, 10860 Cemetery Rd, Grand Bay, Alabama 36541.
