Richard Lee Cecil came into this world August 15, 1941, but most would say he left as Marvin Puckelschwartz. He was humorous to the end, telling his daughter Tonya when asked within hours of his death if she could get him anything, to which he replied with a crooked smile “lots of money” he peacefully passed on July 19, 2020.
Born in Los Angeles, California the eldest son of Doit and Lucille (Allen) Cecil. The family moved to Dodge City where the Lamplighter Club was started by the family and became a staple of Dodge City and the surrounding communities. Richard graduated from Dodge City High School where he was a standout athlete and could often be mistaken as the doppelganger of James Dean.
Richard met Helen M. Kimminau in 1963 and it was love at first sight. They married June 29, 1964. Helen thought she was getting the handsome, bad boy movie star Clint Eastwood look alike, only to find out she got Bozo the Clown.
Richard had a long and renown career with the postal service, known around town as the “mailman”. He could be seen traipsing down Wyatt Earp in his Santa suit at Christmas delivering mail and handing out candy. He retired after 41 years in 2006. Although that was his profession his passion was people. He was a Rembrandt at making people laugh and he painted many masterpieces.
Richard is survived by his wife Helen of 56 years. His children Tonya Maier and husband Garry Lee. Chance, Chace and Charnea. Grandchildren Brayton Maier, Ayrton Maier, Nicholas Nieves and Ariszay Nieves. Brothers Donny and Ronny and a host of cousins and loyal friends.
Richard was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral; he never lost his faith and love in God. He survived gangrene, a quadruple bypass, a stroke, paralysis, a broken neck, stomach cancer, and was preparing to fight liver cancer. He wasn’t worried about a virus named after a beer taking him out!
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at “I Don’t Care Family Restaurant” (because we all know…he actually didn’t care), 1510 W. Spruce St., Dodge City. With lunch to follow. Friends may sign the book Tuesday, July 21, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at a later date as cremation has already taken place.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801 to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warriors OR Trump 2020 – LOL.