Richard I. Gee, 75, of Deerton, entered eternal life Wednesday afternoon, July 27, 2005, in the Hospice Suite at Marquette General Hospital. He had been in ill health for the past year.

Richard was born August 7, 1930 in Detroit, son of Grant and Mildred (Watson) Gee. He was raised in Detroit and was a graduate of the Redford High School. Following graduation, Richard embarked on a career as a bricklayer-mason, performing commercial work through Bricklayer’s Union Local #1, throughout the Detroit area. In 1951 he married the former Jeanne Markee in Detroit and the couple established their home and raised their children there. In the early years, the family vacationed in Alger County, camped around Lake Superior, and visited Canada. During this time Richard developed a love of the Upper Peninsula. The couple later divorced and, in 1982, following his retirement, Richard moved to Sand River. He later built a home in Deerton and had resided there for the past twelve years. Richard greatly enjoyed the outdoors and being in nature. He was especially adept at woodcutting and stacking, and often chided those who tried to meet his stacking abilities (just ask Jeff)….Richard was “the master.” Richard was also a collector of classic cars and was always on the lookout for a “good deal” on older cars. His love of nature was apparent in his daily feeding of the eighteen deer that frequented his yard and the many road trips he made to places of interest in the Upper Peninsula, especially any place with a waterfall.

Richard is survived by:

His daughter, Linda Gail Gee and her friend, Jeffrey Halprin, of Birmingham

Son, Miles John Gee of Hartland

Daughter-in-law, Pam (John) Beedle-Gee of Grosse Pointe

Grandchildren, Jeremy, Breanna, and Jobriath

His brother, Robert (Margaret) Gee of Sanford, FL

His special friend and companion, Linda West of Deerton.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; former wife, Jeanne; a son, Toby Gee; and special friend, June Dale.

A gathering for family and friends, honoring the life of Richard I. Gee, will be held at Richard’s home, E1615 State Road M-28, Deerton, on Saturday, August 20, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.