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Carroll Wright Cheek

1921 - 2013

BORN

1921

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Serenity Funeral Home & Serenity Gardens Memorial Park

13401 Indian Rocks Road

Largo, Florida

Carroll Cheek Obituary

(News article) An Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, who helped found a local banking company and who owned and ran several local grocery store chains, Carroll Wright Cheek died Monday in Clearwater, Fla. He was 92.

He suffered from heart disease, dementia, and Parkinson's disease, and died from a combination of those three ailments, said his son, Michael Cheek.

Mr. Cheek received a master's degree from the University of Michigan in 1950. In the same year, he helped found the Bowling Green Banking Company.

While a part-time business administration instructor at Bowling Green State University from 1949-1951, Mr. Cheek finished requirements to be a certified public accountant.

After earning his CPA, he opened several accounting offices in northwestern Ohio.

He was senior partner for Cheek and Company, an accounting firm, and also worked in a partnership with Philip D. Kaser, the firm was called Cheek and Kaser, starting in 1957.

Michael Cheek said his father's interest in finance was started by humble beginnings.

"He grew up very poor and he was the son of a minister. As you can imagine during the Great Depression, there wasn't very much food on the table. He, at age 12, was making more money doing odd jobs than my grandfather was bringing in from the church," he said.

From age 13 to 19, Mr. Cheek worked at a park in southern Ohio.

"During the course of that, he met a man who was an industrialist. [He] took him under his wing and guided him through the business world," Michael Cheek said.

It was after that point that Mr. Cheek felt accounting "was really the way to go," his son said.

In 1962, he started a supermarket chain and owned several grocery stores in Ohio and Florida - Great Scot, Sac N' Save, and Food World.

After serving two terms as president on the Bowling Green State University alumni association board of trustees, Mr. Cheek received the Bowling Green State University alumni association's distinguished alumnus award in 1974.

But it was his father's aptitude for accounting work that continued to propel his successful career in finance.

"He found that he had a high ability in mathematics," Michael Cheek said.

When it came to recreation time for Mr. Cheek, there wasn't a lot.

"He had no hobbies. He was a constant businessman," his son said.

But Mr. Cheek did make time to volunteer for many charitable boards and organizations.

"He was on various boards of incredible organizations. He got to [do] the books of various organizations [and] asked a lot of uncomfortable questions, but also helped them benefit from some really sage, practical advice.

"He kind of carried his business acumen into the charitable work," his son said.

His philanthropic work also led to the establishment of the Susan Cheek Needler Breast Cancer Center and the Cheek Powell Heart and Vascular Center at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Fla.

"He had a passion for health-care and a passion for education," his daughter, Dr. Kathleen Cheek-Milby said of her father's philanthropic work. "With respect to education, I think he always thought everyone should have an equal chance."

Mr. Cheek was born on March 21, 1921, in Columbus. He married his wife, Mabel, on Mar. 21, 1942.

Michael Cheek said his parents met at Bowling Green State University.

"They met on a double date. My mom had a date with my dad's friend. He ended up calling her. I think it was just mutual attraction," he said.

In 2006 Mr. Cheek and his wife were named Mr. and Mrs. Clearwater by the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Cheek fought in World War II, flying in 33 combat missions as a pilot with the 392nd bomb group out of Wendling, England.

During his time in the service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice and received the Air Medal five times.

Carroll Wright Cheek is survived by his wife, Mabel Cheek; son Michael Cheek; daughter Dr. Kathleen Cheek-Milby; six grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. today at the Moss Feaster Funeral Home in Largo, Fla.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Clearwater, Fla.

The family suggesed memorial contributions be sent to Suncoast Hospice, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, Fla. 33760.

Contact Blade staff writer Kelly McLendon at: [email protected], 419-724-6522, or on Twitter @KMcBlade.
Published by The Blade on May 29, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Carroll Cheek

Not sure what to say?





21 Entries

Ray Byrne

May 22, 2022

I had the pleasure of speaking with Mr and Mrs Cheek in Clearwater many years ago. I will always remember what a plesent man he was.
May he rest in peace
Ray.

Ray Byrne

March 6, 2016

Dear Mrs cheek.
Please accept my belated but sincere condolences at the passing of Your husband Carrol.
Myself, wife and two children had the pleasure of a brief encounter with you and Carroll at the Clearwater beach hotel while on holiday from Ireland. That brief meeting left us with happy memories of our time in Florida.
Ray , Samantha ,Nathan and Jordan

Pamela Lindemann

July 2, 2013

Dear Mabel, Mike and Kathy, grand kids that actually played with my children. So sorry for the loss. I was in SC with no news or Internet. I am sorry not able to pay respects.
He was a great man and Bill and I enjoyed working for him
All those years. He was especially kind to Bill on his last days on earth.

Linda and Stew Turley

June 2, 2013

Dear Mabel and Family,
Stew and I have been traveling and just received notice that Carroll passed away recently. We are so sorry for your loss. He was such a wonderful man and we know you will all miss him terribly. Sending our prayers to you for Peace and Love as you go forward.

Jaison Mccray

June 1, 2013

A great lost

Marty Matula

May 31, 2013

So sorry I was in NC at Carroll's celebration of "going home". I loved And respected Carroll's love of Mabel, family , God and Country. Being promoted to Glory on Memorial Day was a special blessing from His Lord. He will be so missed but wonderful memories continue on thru his family and friends. Carroll was a special blessing in my life at Morton Plant Mease Foindation for many many years and a special friend.

Richard Carpenter

May 31, 2013

Dear Mrs. Cheek. We wish to extend our sincere sympathy to you and your family for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Thank you for your contact when my sister, Mary, passed away. Sincerely,
Dick and Judy Carpenter, Bowling Green, OH

Myron Jacobs

May 30, 2013

Dear Mabel and Family,
I would like to express my sincere condolences during this time. It was a privilege to work for Mr. Cheek for many years. I appreciated his guidance and work ethic during those times. He will be missed but fondly remembered.
With Sympathy,
Myron Jacobs

Anne-Marie Forest

May 30, 2013

Dear Mrs, Cheek,Michael,Kathy and family, My deepest sympathy to all of you for your loss, Mr, Cheek was a great man . I truly enjoyed all the great stories he told me when I was at your home. I was extremely fortunate to have been able to spend time with him and all of the family.Thank you. Anne-Marie Forest.

Jim and Diane Riddle

May 29, 2013

Mabel and family we are so, so sorry for your loss. A "Charter Member" of the Greatest Generation is gone. Those of us who knew him were touched. A family man, a war hero, a successful business leader and most of all a GOOD man. We need more people like him.

Shirley Axelrod

May 29, 2013

I want to extend my sincere sympathy to Mabel and the family. Mr. Cheek suffered long and stoically and is finally at peace. He was a real hero in our community and has left a lasting legacy for future generations.

Steve Greenwald

May 29, 2013

Carol and I are so sorry for your loss. We always enjoyed chatting with Carroll and Mabel at Cullasaja. He was a great storyteller and had so many interesting life experiences which he was kind enough to share with us and his many friends at the Club. We will miss seeing him and we hope that his wonderful memory will comfort you and your family at this time.

Sincerely,

Steve Greenwald

Tracey Stough

May 29, 2013

Mr. Cheek, you are an inspiration. You led such a wonderful life. It has been a great honor to know you, your wonderful wife, Mrs. Cheek and your family. To the Cheek family, please know you are all in my prayers.

Barbara Schmitz

May 29, 2013

Dear Mabel, Kathy, Mike and other family members. Eric and I are so saddened by the passing of Carroll. I have long admired him for his many accomplishments, but more so for his many kindnesses. It was always so always so enjoyable and inspiring to be around Mabel and Carroll. I will always be indebted to them both because they were true friends and compatriots to my deceased parents. Mabel, my heartfelt condolences and prayers are sent your way. With love and sympathy, Barbara Mariani Schmitz

May 29, 2013

Dear Mrs. Cheek, Mike, Kathy and families: My condolences on the death of Mr. Cheek. He lived a long and productive life, but when it comes to losing a loved one, there is no good or right time. May your fond memories of the many good times you shared sustain you at this time of immeasurable sadness. Elisabeth Heacock (fka Beth Ladd), Bowling Green, OH

R Hands

May 29, 2013

Dear family I'm so sorry for your lost of your love one may the fond memories continue to give you peace and may the God of all Comfort be with you.

Sue Ebbers

May 29, 2013

Our family is devastated by the Carroll's passing. He was like a brother to Mom, and was the patriarch of the Wright family. He was a good man who loved his wife and family passionately. And the term 'family' meant all those for whom he had any responsibility. He - working side by side with beautiful wife Mabel - has left an incredible legacy. Rest in peace, Carroll. You finished the race.

May 29, 2013

Mr. Cheek, you are missed and will be remembered with so much gratitude. You were so kind and generous. There are not enough wonderful things to say about you.

Anna-Marie E Wells

May 28, 2013

I am so sorry to hear of Mr Cheek's passing. I had the pleasure of meeting both him and his wife Mabel around 14-15 years ago when I worked at a bank in Belleair along with an employee of his. He was very much a business man but a sweet and happy-go-lucky man also as well as Mabel. He was so impressed with my handling of his affairs in the manner that I did and even complemented me and gave me a strong hand shake when they left. I also have met most of the children, grand-children at some point. Alter just loosing my husband Charles of 25 years (an Army Vet) just a few months ago my sincere condolences go out to the whole family but especially Mabel as this has to be a very hard time for her. You are all wonderful people and have done so much. Know you are all in my prayers. With my profound sympathy, Anna-Marie E. Wells

May 28, 2013

Already miss you terribly CW. So happy you're in a better place, and you finally get to see Susan again. You were and will always be remembered as an incredbile, generous, caring man. We all love you very much, and as someone said before me....so so thankful for having known you and your beautiful family.

May 28, 2013

You took care of so many people in your wonderful life. All of Mr.C's employees will always be thankful for having known you.

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