Richard Kee

Who was Richard Kee? Well, if you asked 100 different people you would probably get 100 different stories, but none of them would be nearly as good as if he told you himself. He was a world class story teller. You would get answers like Welder, Sheriff Deputy, Feed and Seed Clerk, Swimming Pool Builder, Bronco Buster, Milk Man, Rodeo Clown, Cotton Mill Worker, Hunter, Fisherman. A few of us were lucky enough to call him family. To us he was a Husband, Brother, Dad, Papaw, Uncle, Cousin, but most of all he was my Hero.
He was born on June 2, 1943 at his uncle’s home on Hillcrest St in Dyersburg Tn. He passed away at age 76 on May 21, 2020 just two weeks shy of his 77th birthday. Growing up as a child he was the youngest of three siblings. At about 10 years old he got Scarlet Fever and developed a Heart Murmur. I am not sure if this is where his hatred of hospitals and doctors came from but he refused to go to a doctor until he was 75 years old. He was one of the strongest and possibly the most stubborn person I ever knew. I have seen him doctor a spider bite with horse medicine and refuse to go get stitches when he clearly needed them. Later in life he found out he had actually broken his back twice as well as several other bones. He was the epitome of “take two aspirin and call me in the morning”.
Richard was always busy. He had the gift of gab. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. No one he met was a stranger. He loved to wheel and deal with people. Making a trade was one of his favorite past times. Often times you could find him at the corner store just shooting the breeze. He loved cutting up with people. If he was picking on you or teasing you, it was a sure sign he liked you. He would go out of his way and do anything for anybody that needed it, then give you crap about it while he did it. That’s how he showed you he cared. He loved his family, friends, and pets more than anyone I know. He was the kind of man that many may say led a simple life but I think he was happiest with Simple Pleasures. He taught me that the best things in life don’t come pre-packaged. They don’t need to be opened. They are simple and easily missed if you aren’t paying attention to the little things. He enjoyed Strawberry Milkshakes and Sunday Drives. He was lucky on the slots and loved to go to “the boat”. He mostly enjoyed relaxing on his porch swing with his wife and friends telling tall tales. He did not want to have funeral services, but the Family has chosen to have a Memorial at his home for Family and Close Friends.
Richard Kee Memorial and Life Celebration
June 6th @ 2pm – 5pm
107 Bend Road
Richard was preceded in death by his parents Howard Kee and Dora Davidson Kee and Brother Harold Kee, and Daughters Sherry McCutcheon, Janie Newhouse.
He is survived by his Wife Mary ”Jane” Kee, Sister Betty ”My Sister” Ball, Daughters Elizabeth Davis and Tricia Carlisle “Tootie”, Son John Bullington Sr “Big John”.
7 Grandkids: John Bullington Jr “Little John”, Adam Davis, Sherine Serrano”Sally Sue”, Ralph McCutcheon Jr “R.J.”, Amanda Vaden “Knobber Knees”, Zachary Carlisle “Zac Attack”, Sylas Carlisle “Good Ol’ Sy”,
9 Great Grandkids: Cameron Lucket “Spooter Hoot”, Sophie Vaden, Conner Serrano “ConMan”, Jordan Bullington, Morgan McCutcheon “MoMo”, Brieanna McCutcheon “Brie”, Lilly Bullington “Mickey”, Nicholas Bullington “Cotton Top”, Emma Bullington “Goosey Lucy”,
Nieces and Nephews: Gina Ball Poore “Nina Hon”, Scott Ball, Patti Ball Chou “PIA”, Lisa Kee Kirk “Lease”,
Grand Nieces and Nephews: Luke Poore, Maddie Poore, Max Chou, Anna Chou, Jack Ball “Jack Do”, Savannah Ball “Sassy”, Addison Kirk “Big A”,