Chambliss, Richard 'Dick' E.

Richard “Dick” E. Chambliss

Richard E. Chambliss, 64, of Tipton, died peacefully at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011, with his loving family by his side. A funeral service to celebrate Dick's life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 17 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Tipton, with Pastor Donnita Moeller presiding. Refreshments and fellowship will follow. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at Fry Funeral Home, 220 East Sixth St., Tipton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Dick and Kay Chambliss Memorial Fund in care of the family, 115 W. Eighth St., Tipton, IA 52772.

Dick was born Jan. 22, 1947, in Muscatine, Iowa, the youngest son of Gerald and Norma (Birkhofer) Chambliss. He graduated from Tipton High School in 1965. After high school, Dick attended Muscatine Community College, where he studied commercial artistry. Dick married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Kathryn Chambliss, on June 18, 1967. They had celebrated 43 years together before she passed away from pancreatic cancer in October 2010. The couple had three wonderful children in Kimberly, Mark and Brent, who brought tremendous joy to their father. Dick enjoyed spending time with his family and helping to raise his seven grandchildren.

Dick owned and operated Chambliss Motor Co. in Tipton and C&G Truck Sales in Davenport. He was also in sales and sales management with Twin Bridges Mack and Quad City Peterbilt in Davenport.

Dick was a very talented artist and woodworker and made numerous treasured pieces for his children, grandchildren, friends, and his church.

Dick loved golfing and followed the sport of racing. He enjoyed boating with his extended family and cherished the many fun vacations at Lake of the Ozarks. Dick was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Tipton, often using his creative talents to enrich the lives of the parishioners.

Dick is survived by his three children: Kimberly (Michael) Pelzer and their son, Noah, of Tipton; Mark (Christine) Chambliss and their children, Katrina, Blake and Laci, of Iowa City; and Brent (Molly) Chambliss and their children, Sydney, Savannah and Delaney, of Tipton; mother, Norma Chambliss of Wilton; mother-in-law, Wilma (Frank) Pearson of Iowa City; brothers, Robert Chambliss of Muscatine and Ronald (Diane) Chambliss of Tipton; sisters, Shirley Grunder of Wilton and Pat (Don) Parker of Cedar Rapids; and numerous extended family.

He was preceded in death by his wife and father; sister, Janet Chambliss; father-in-law, Elmer Belitz; brother-in-law, Marlyn Grunder; and sister-in-law, Judith Chambliss.

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Published in The Gazette on Sept. 15, 2011