Thomas 'Tom' Ellis Dee

Thomas "Tom" Ellis Dee, age 74, of Bethel Heights, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, went to Heaven to be with the Lord on Dec. 26, 2012, at the Earlene Howard Circle of Life Hospice House in Springdale. He was born April 4, 1938, in Denver, Colo., the son of John and Ann Roybal Dee. He was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Dee was preceded by his parents; one son, Erick Bowers; and one brother, Bill Dee. Mr. Dee is survived by his wife, Marie Scott Dee of the home; three sons, Danny Dee and his wife, Lisa, of Charleston, S.C., David Hardison and his wife, Emily, of Perris, Calif., and Sam Dee and his wife, Kristy, of Siloam Springs, Ark.; one brother, Bobby Dee of Phoenix, Ariz.; one sister, Penny Maxwell of Glendale, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Tom grew up in Tolleson, Ariz., and attended the Police Academy in Orange County, Calif. He worked for the Rogers Fire Department as a firefighter and a paramedic for 13 years. He was one of Rogers' first paramedics. He also worked at St. Mary's Hospital (Mercy Medical Hospital) as a monitor tech for several years. Tom was the recorder and treasurer for the city of Bethel Heights for nine years. He was made honorary fire chief for the city of Bethel Heights in 2002. He enjoyed doing wood working, newspaper crossword puzzles and a good cup of coffee. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to his caregiver, Cindy Bowers; the Northwest Medical Center in Springdale; Dr. Larry Wright and staff; and the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. Also we wish to thank the Scott family and all of the friends who made his life better by being here for him over the last year. Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 800 S. Pleasant St., Springdale, Ark., with Pastor Mickey Merrick and Pastor Brian Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home. There will not be any visitation. Online condolences may be sent to www.memfuneral.com.