Roy Alburn Cheek, age 98, of Lawson, Missouri, passed away Sunday, June 12, 2022. Roy was born August 29, 1923 to Alburn Matthew Cheek and Minnie Maude (Lane) Cheek on a farm near Holt, Missouri. He attended Riggs Country School and graduated from Lawson High School in 1941.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served in W.W. II as a ball turret gunner on a B-17. He and his crew were shot down over Holland on their 14th mission and Roy was immediately welcomed into the Dutch underground where he remained MIA for 11 months. Upon returning to the U.S. he attended college at NWMSU and earned a teaching degree. He taught 2 years at Lawson High School.
He married Shirley May Davis on July 3, 1952. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year. Roy joined the National Guard and worked at the Nike Base near Lawson until it closed and then went to work for Union Electric, retiring in 1987. He was a life long active member of the United Christian & Presbyterian Church and a proud member of the Lawson VFW. Roy loved all sports and he spent a lot of time playing golf with his friends and relatives up into his 90’s. He was an avid fan of the KC Royals and Chiefs.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ray and James; sisters, Edith Cheek, Louise Jackson and Emma Lee Drew; and son-in-law, Michael O’Dell.
Roy is survived by his daughters, Barbara (Larry) Lanning and Sherry O’Dell; grandson, Chris Lanning (Sheryl Applebee); granddaughters, Erin (Scott) Murphy, Lani O’Dell, and Micaela (Quinn) Murdock; and great grandsons, Conner Murphy, Chase Murphy and Carter Lanning.
A visitation for Roy will be held Monday, June 20, 2022 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Lawson United Christian & Presbyterian Church with funeral service following at 11 a.m. Burial in Lawson Cemetery.
Arrangements in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home Lawson Chapel.
Our Sincere Condolences
My deepest condolences from The Netherlands. As used between Air Force people: Blue skies and tailwinds on your flight West Roy Cheek. Thank you for your service.
Leendert Smit
Dear Shirley, So sorry to have missed the funeral. I had heard about it a couple days before the service, and was planning to attend. But then I had “grandparent duty” come up at the last minute on Monday morning. Truly, I feel a real loss for Roy was always such a wonderful and faithful husband, father, Church member, and community inspiration. Hope you and family loss is also filled with peaceful memories and thanksgiving to the Lord for your years with Roy. God bless and keep you!
Gary Myers
