Frederick Richard “Dick” McAtee, 90, went to be with Jesus on 07-06-2026, where he was also reunited with the love of his life, Judith “Judy” Augusta Holmes McAtee. We have no doubt that the Lord commended him for his long life of love and service. Dick was born on September 10, 1935 in Cutler, Ohio, the youngest child of Pearl and Mabel McAtee. His seven siblings – Donald, Bob, Alta Mae, Gerald, Dean, Pearl Jr., and Dana – all predeceased him.  He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1953 and went straight to the Marine Corps, serving in Korea and reaching the rank of Corporal. After four years in The Corps, he returned to Cutler to marry Judy, before beginning 20 years of service at Shell Chemical, and even more at Calvary Church in Parkersburg (where he and Judy were founding members) and its sister church, Cornerstone Gospel. Dick and Judy had five beloved children – Jonathan (Sarah), Douglas (Tina), David (Connie), Laura (Chris), and Karen (Will) – and were the proud grandparents of 11. By the end of his long life, Dick was able to know five of his great-grandchildren as well. Some might say Dick and Judy expanded their family well beyond this, to include almost anyone who walked through the front door. The dynamic duo were renowned for their warmth and hospitality. There seemed no limit to how much love and joy they could pack inside their home. Dick and Judy took their family on the road a lot, too, loading up the RV each summer to spend weeks on end criss-crossing the country from coast to coast. In retirement, they traveled even more – one year tallying 59 trips!  In his last three years, Dick made a "bucket list" and enjoyed completing it in the company of his sons Jon (Sarah) and Doug (Tina), and his dear old friends, Sonny and Clair Staats. Together they covered 13 states and countless miles of backroads – especially in Ohio and West Virginia.  Some of Dick's favorite simple pleasures could be found out on the road – like discovering small diners, finding that perfect cup of coffee, and exploring big outdoor retailers like Cabela’s. And when it came to America’s natural beauty, he never lost his sense of wonder. Visiting any State or National Park was always a thrill, and his enchantment never faded for the green and rugged landscapes in places like West Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Virginia (Skyline Drive, especially), and–of course–Southeast Ohio. Always drawn to the outdoors, Dick was a lifelong sportsman. He was a talented athlete in his youth, excelling at baseball and basketball. Later, he became a diehard fan of the Reds and Buckeyes. He also loved to hunt, whether pursuing deer and turkey at the Welch family farm in Cutler or big game in the Rockies and Great Plains with his eldest son.  Among family and close friends, Dick was a celebrated cook. The grandkids will always miss “Papaw’s Pancakes”, “Papaw’s Fudge”, his custom birthday cakes, his greasy piles of bacon and eggs, and the exuberant way he’d laugh and joke over a sizzling cast iron, often wearing nothing but OSU basketball shorts!  As many have attested over the years, Dick was a gifted storyteller and a keen observer of people, with a knack for spotting other’s quirks to create the perfect practical joke. This could range from convincing a germaphobic sister-in-law that a dog had eaten off her plate to greeting his wife’s distinguished dinner guests in nothing but a skirt and wig.  Dick loved nothing more than being surrounded by family and friends. His 90th birthday party and the Cutler Community Building and final "McAtee Christmas” gathering at Jon and Sarah’s farm were sources of fond reminiscence in his final days. Above all, Dick was a man of steadfast love, hard work, and unwavering devotion – to God, family, and country. His greatest joy was serving others and connecting with them through stories, laughter, and long conversations. Our hearts ache–but not without hope–for the day when we’ll see him and Judy again, sitting on a porch with their glasses of sweet tea and two big smiles, welcoming us home. To the end, Dick never lost his cheerful and resilient spirit, nor his delight in seeing others smile. Many of his final days centered on the stories and pictures provided by family, and on each visitor who came to see him. Those of you who were with him in those last weeks know how much those moments meant. You gave him wonderful memories. His son's Jon and Doug never left his side. God bless and thank you. Dick preplanned his last wishes with Stone and Matheney Funeral Home of Chesterhill, he requested no services but did agree to a recognition of his life to be held at the McAtee Family Christmas at the McAtee Farm. Stone and Matheney will publish his obituary on their website, along with the Times and Facebook.

In lieu of flowers, dads wishes were to make donations to the:

Cutler Community Center, PO Box 32. Cutler, Ohio 45724