Leacox, Richard L. 'Dick'

Richard L. “Dick” Leacox, 82, a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa, peacefully passed away with his beloved family at his side at the Select Specialty Hospital, Davenport, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at St. James Lutheran Church, 1705 Oak St., Bettendorf, where Dick was a faithful member. Interment will be in Cedar Rapids,at a later date. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church.

He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on March 15, 1929, the son of Howard and Velma (Hotle) Leacox. His parents were dairy farmers and Dick spent the early part of his life working on the farm with his family. On June 8, 1952, he was united in marriage to Carol A. France in Urbana, Iowa, and they farmed in Walker, Iowa, until 1960.

Dick was employed by AETNA Insurance Company since 1983 and served as the agency manager in Davenport. He was later transferred to the AETNA office in Hartford, Conn., where he designed sales and software programs for the company, until his retirement in 1997. In earlier years, Dick worked for the Farm Bureau Insurance Co., in Jefferson and Wapello counties, Iowa, and in Scott County, Iowa.

He was an active member of St. James Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and always sang in the choir. Music was an important part of Dick's life and he enjoyed singing with the church choirs in the various places he and Carol lived over the years. He was also an active member of CASI's Golden Tones singing group and was a former member of the Bettendorf Lions Club. The Aqua Fitness class at Bettendorf Life Fitness Center provided good exercise and was full of great friends.

Dick was always happiest while spending time with his family. He will always be remembered as a person who loved to garden, enjoyed home improvement projects and who was always willing and ready to lend a helping hand to his neighbors and many friends.

Those left to honor his memory include his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Carol; his children, Paula (Carl) Stecker of Port Au Prince, Haiti, David (Julie) Leacox of Lake St. Louis, Mo., Eric (Lynne) Leacox of Blue Grass, and Tracy (Keith) Morling of Galesburg, Ill.; his grandchildren, Erica, Adam, Chantal, Valerie, Evan, Spenser, Riley, Lindsey, Kelsea, Olivia, Grant, Seth, Calihan and Thaddeus; his great-grandchildren, Davyd and Owen; his sister, Phyllis (Bob) Blakesley of Independence; his daughter-in-law, Roma Leacox of Cedar Falls; and many other relatives and wonderful friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his son, Mark; his granddaughter, Alyssa; his sister, Billie Jean; his brother, Sam; and his parents.

Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing Dick's obituary at .

Published in The Gazette Feb. 8, 2012.