Monte M. Dees
1926-2018
Monte Meredith Dees (92) passed from this life on December 11, 2018. He was born January 30, 1926, in Olvey, Arkansas; the fifth child of James Rufus Dees and Montie Mae Abel Dees. Monte graduated from Bellefonte High School. After high school, Monte enlisted in the armed services. On October 24, 1952, he married Loretta (Rita) Adams, and they enjoyed 66 years of marriage together. Rita, his widow, currently lives in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Monte was faithful member of the Church of Christ. He and Rita attended the Eastside Church of Christ, Tulsa, where he served as a deacon; the Broken Arrow (OK) Church of Christ; the Edmond Church of Christ and the Harrison, AR Church of Christ.
During World War II, Monte served in the Army as a Sergeant with Company E of the 85th. Infantry and was honorably discharged in July 1946.
After their marriage, Monte and Rita lived in Harrison, Arkansas, before moving to Kansas City, Missouri where their daughter, Janet, was born. Shortly after Janet’s birth, they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he attended Spartan School of Aeronautics training to be an airline mechanic. In Tulsa, Monte and Rita, welcomed their second child, Mark. Monte began working as an engine mechanic at American Airlines and completed 29 ½ years with American before his retirement in 1982.
After his retirement, Monte and Rita enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren and antiquing together. They lived in several locations including Broken Arrow, OK; Harrison, AR; and Edmond, OK. Monte lived his life with clear priorities of faith, love of family, and service to others. He served his country, his company, his church, and his family well and was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Rita; his daughter, Janet (Gary) Tandy of Newberg, Oregon; his son, Mark (Beth) Dees of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Five grandchildren: Reed (Teddie) Dees of St. Louis, Missouri; Tanner (Alyssa) Dees of Edmond, Oklahoma; Julia Tandy of Newberg, Oregon; Jackson (April) Tandy of Song-do, South Korea; Garrison Tandy of Portland, Oregon. Two great grandchildren: Nollan and Caroline Dees. He leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as three sisters: Alpha Dees Keeter, Charlene Dees Cunningham, and Marilyn (Curt) Dees Jarrett. Monte was preceded in death by his brothers Frank James Dees, Lowell Dees and his sisters Agnes Dees Jones, and Thersia Dees Slack-Jones.
Memorial services will be held at 1:30pm, Saturday, December 15, Roller-Christeson Funeral Home, Harrison, AR.