Joseph Roy Dee

Joseph Roy Dee, Jr. (Roy), 84, of Aliceville, Alabama passed away peacefully in his home, September 30th. He was the only child of Joseph Roy Dee and Page Massie Dunlap Dee, born January 25, 1932, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

On February 23, 1952, Roy married Mary Ann Fanning at St. Francis Church, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She preceded him in death in May 2013.

He is survived by 11 children: Coleen (Merle) Butterick, Teresa (Jim) Salmon, Katie (Steve) Banks, J. (Debbie) Dee, Susie Crabb, Annie Dee (Ed Sikora), Sara (Dave) Kroeger, Ellen Bass, Patty Dee (Danny Hutchinson), Jean (Matt) Lewis, and Mike (Shannon) Dee.  Also survived by 33 grandchildren, Katrina Butterick, Michael (Heather) Butterick, Sean (Katie) Salmon, Ian Salmon, Melanie Banks, Page (Jay) Kuhlman, Shelly (TJ) Euell, Joseph (Lindsey) Dee, Erin (Chris) Denniston, Patrick Dee, Stanton (Lindsey) Crabb, Rachel (Michael) Bernhard, Seth (Jodie) More, Jesse (Leslie) More, Mary Sikora, Martha Sikora, Taylor Dee, Amanda Dee, Ben (Lauren) Kroeger, Drew Kroeger, Alissa (Scott) Trail, Amber Wilkinson, Adam (Elizabeth) Wilkinson, Chelsea Bass, Callie Bass, Gena (Leroy) Kelley, Nicholas Fischer, Colin Fischer, Alexis (Jonathan) Brown, Jessica Lewis, Victoria Dee, Isabella Dee, and Lily Catherine Dee and 26 great grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife of 61 years, and son, John Richard Dee.

Roy received his grammar school education at St. Paul’s School, St. Petersburg, Florida, at St. Mary’s School in Mt. Carmel, and the public schools in Fairfield, Illinois. He spent one year at Admiral Farragut Military Academy in St. Petersburg, Florida and received his high school diploma from St. Leo’s Academy in St. Leo, Florida. He attended Notre Dame University for one year and finished his formal education at the University of Alabama, majoring in business administration.

Prior to joining Dee Drilling Company in 1956, he worked for two years at the First National Bank of St. Petersburg, Florida.  He served as past president of Dee Building, Dee Drilling Company, Illinois Mid-Continent Company, and Dee River Ranch. He is noted for taking a rotary rig from Illinois to Ohio in 1964 to drill wells using “advanced hydraulics” and was featured on the cover of “Hughes Ridgway” magazine in 1965. He was one of the original 81 Unit Holders of the Gatorade Trust and sat on the board of Atlanta LaSalle for several years.

He was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Macon, Mississippi and former member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mt. Carmel. He was a supporter/partner of the Dwelling Place in Brooksville, Mississippi and a member of the Elks, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Moose, Eagles, Union League Club of Chicago and St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

Roy was an oil producer and avid farmer, fisherman and hunter. While residing in Mt. Carmel, he was an expert shooter and long-time member of the Grayville Gun Club.

There will be a visitation Tuesday, October 4, from 5-7 p.m. at Dogwood Chapel in Aliceville, Alabama.  The funeral service will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Macon, Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's School Building Fund or Wabash General Hospital Foundation Scholarship Fund in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, The Dwelling Place in Brooksville, Mississippi, or Invest An Acre at www.investanacre.org.  Skelton Funeral Home in Reform, Alabama is handling arrangements.

Envelopes are available at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home, 527 N Mulberry St., Mt. Carmel, Illinois 62863.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com          

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to assist Roy’s family.

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