HOWARD LEE CHEEK

Mr. Howard “Red” Lee Cheek, age 85, of Pinnacle, passed away Saturday, June 22, 2013.

He was born January 8, 1928, in Forsyth County to the late William Spencer Cheek and Eva Ethel Mason.

Mr. Cheek was retired from Western Electric after forty years of service as an engineer and engineer associate.  Mr. Cheek was a much respected colleague and the author of numerous patents related to his work.  He was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, and was previously a longtime member of Fair Oaks Gospel Chapel.

He served his country honorably during the Korean Conflict, playing a key role in the reopening of the Fort Leonard Wood military base. 

“Red” Cheek was an accomplished sportsman and avid outdoorsman, a trait he passed on to his sons, his grandson, and many young people he mentored.

Mr. Cheek was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Thomas William Cheek.

Mr. Cheek is survived by his wife of sixty years, Ann Clinch Cheek; two sons, the Reverend Doctor Howard Lee Cheek, Jr., and wife Kathy Braun Cheek; and Richard Spencer Cheek, LPN, and wife Ashley Wilmoth Cheek; one sister, Evie Weston and husband Keith Weston; one beloved grandson, Carson Spencer Cheek; and, numerous loved nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be conducted at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 11:00 A.M., with Rev. Dianne Marsden officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery with full Military honors; King American Legion Post 290.

The family will receive friends at Cox Needham Funeral Home on Monday June 24, 2013 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to either the General Fund of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 155, Pinnacle, NC, 27043, or Boy Scout Troop 400, at the same address.

Cox-Needham Funeral Home of Pilot Mountain (www.coxneedham.com, www.facebook.com/coxneedham) is respectfully serving the Cheek family.