Archie Cheeks

Archie Cheeks was born in Dayton on April 19, 1946, to the late Roy and Florence Cheeks, growing up in the Morgantown community.

He attended and played football and basketball for Rhea Central High School. He left home to join the United States Army at the age of 17. In the United States Army, he served in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper, facing combat in Operation Power Pack, when the United States successfully intervened to prevent a communist revolution in the Dominican Republic.

Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Archie participated in a 21 Gun Salute at the White House. Upon returning from the army, Archie worked for and retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad, where he worked as a union painter.

He also enjoyed coaching his sons' football and baseball teams. He spent his retirement dedicated to being a grandfather.

He passed away in his home on Feb. 21, 2024, at the age of 77.

In addition to his parents, Archie was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Emily Cheeks; his brother, Jerry (Phyllis) Cheeks; his sisters, Marjorie Smith, June (Wendell) Borne, Eva Jean (Junior) Swafford and Wilma (Clyde) Walker; and his best friends, Bill Cooper and John Dulaney.

He is survived by his two sons, Greg (Lisa) and Jeff Cheeks; his grandson, Masen Cheeks; his brother, Roy "Buddy" (Shirley) Cheeks; his daughter, Annette Bilyeu (Louis); his daughter-in-law, Christy Cheeks; his special niece, Kathy Moore; his favorite nephew, Wally Cannon; and many other nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would also like to thank Gail Harrold and Lisa Heard for taking excellent care of him, the whole team of Caris Hospice and Eric and Lorie Mathis. Archie Cheeks believed in planting trees, under the shade of which he would never sit. There will be no services at this time.