Ronald L. “Red” Tee, age 83, of Oquawka, Illinois, passed away at 1:20pm on Friday, February 3, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa. He was born October 20, 1939 in Wapello, Iowa the son of Elmer Alvin and Belva Irene (Ashby) Tee. Red was reared and educated in the area and was a graduate of G&O High School in Gladstone, Illinois Class of 1958. Red proudly served his Country in the United States Army from 1958-1962. On February 3, 1967, he married Connie Sue Link and they later divorced.
Red retired in 1998 from Gunther Construction after 30 years as a Teamster truck driver. He served on the Oquawka Village Board for 23 years, from 1970 – 1993, and played an integral role in many important projects including opening the Oquawka Municipal Swimming Pool and building the new water tower. Red also proudly lit the Village fireworks for many years. He was a founding member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Oquawka and served as the Chapter’s first President. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing, the Mississippi River, and everything the Mississippi River had to offer. He could fill a deer tag when no one else was seeing deer and catch his limit in walleye when no one else was getting a bite. He also enjoyed riding his Can-Am Spyder around the area, spending time drinking coffee with his friends, and meeting his family for breakfast. But most of all he enjoyed watching his grandson, Braden, grow up.
Red is survived by one son, Jeffrey (Brenda) Tee of Oquawka, IL, one grandson, Braden Tee, and two sisters, Iona LaVeine of Burlington, IA, and Karen (John) Parkins of Oquawka, IL. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Red is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Alvin Tee and Allen Tee, and one nephew, David Tee.
As were Red’s wishes, cremation is being accorded. A memorial service is planned for 11:00am on Friday, February 10, 2023 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, IL. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00am prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment, with Military Honors, follow the service at Oquawka Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established for Western Illinois Animal Rescue in Monmouth, IL.
