Richard Spencer Cheek, LPN

Richard “Rick” Spencer Cheek, age 58, passed away Sunday, December 27, 2020, from complications of Covid-19. He was born November 15, 1962, in Forsyth County to the late Howard Lee Cheek and Ann Marie Clinch. 

Mr. Cheek spent most of his life residing in the Shoals Community of Surry County. From an early age, he was an accomplished sportsman and avid outdoorsman. He greatly enjoyed teaching young people to hunt and fish. Having graduated from East Surry High School, Surry Community College, and Western Carolina University, he held several manufacturing positions in the first half of his professional life. 

In 2000, Mr. Cheek suffered a life-threatening bout with cancer, which led him to change careers and enter the healthcare profession. As a nurse, Rick found his life’s calling, and was much admired, serving in many capacities, and was employed by Surry Rural Health Center in Mount Airy at the time of his death. Since the emergence of the Covid-19 virus, Rick had been actively engaged in testing individuals for the virus, regardless of any personal risk to himself. 

As a lifelong member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, he participated in the church choir and was an occasional Sunday School teacher. Richard was also an Eagle Scout and troop leader, having served as Field Sports Director at Camp Raven Knob Scout Reservation for several years. He was a talented athlete in his early years and during high school, excelling as a baseball catcher in the same tradition of his father and grandfather. 

Mr. Cheek was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved son, Carson Spencer Cheek, fiancé Kelsey Nicole Hill; two grandchildren, Charlotte Rose Cheek and Hartlyn Ann Snow; a brother, Dr. Howard Lee Cheek, Jr., and wife Kathy Braun Cheek; an aunt, Evie Weston and husband Keith Weston; three cousins; and, a devoted companion, Mel Jones.

 
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and Mr. Cheek’s longstanding intentions, the family will conduct a private funeral service and interment for Mr. Cheek in Pinnacle, NC. 

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.
 

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