Richard Lee Steele

Richard L ”Dick” Steele began his walk on Streets of Gold, claiming his anticipated Heavenly reward on September 23, 2017. Richard was born June 22, 1945 to Lena Belle and Rosser Alexander Steele in Stockton, CA. Lena and Rosser separated shortly after Richard’s birth. Lena married William “Bill” Ledgerwood when Richard was four years old. Bill was the father who raised Dick, his brother Gerald, and his sister Barbara. Dick was graduated from Oakdale High School where he excelled in music as a member of both the State Honor Choir and Band. He played drums in Honor band and was part of a High School Combo for a short time. Dick signed an early commitment to the Marine Corps before he completed High School but delayed reporting to boot camp until after graduation in 1963. He trained as a Helicopter Detail Man and was deployed to Vietnam after training. After completing his Military service Dick returned to Modesto, applied for work with the Marathon Paper Company and started working six days after he was discharged. The Marathon plant became a division of American Can, and then a James River Operation until the closure of the Modesto plant. Richard retired in 1994 prior to the plant closure.

Richard retrained as a computer hardware technician, then worked at a variety of jobs until he returned to his comfort zone in warehousing for G3 Enterprises. He remained there until his declining health precluded full-time employment. During the years of Industrial Truck Driving and beyond, Dick returned to school enrolling at Modesto Junior College on the GI Bill. Initially he majored in the classes that would help him most while he was doing the work of remodeling and enlarging the family home. Plumbing, electricity, building codes, whatever was offered, along with English, History, and Math, he took while working a rotating shift that changed weekly. He was graduated with an AA Degree in 1995. Dick married Carletta Evans in 1972, shortly after he joined The Heralds Inc., a Christian mobile ministry team. With the addition of Dick’s baritone, The Heralds trio morphed into a quartet, comprised of Carletta, her sister Eddi Marie and Eddi Marie’s husband Jim Julian. The son and daughter of the Julian’s and the girls’ parents Dr. Eddie and Alice Evans completed the ministry team until sons Joshua and then Jordan, joined Dick and Carletta. The two sons brought new joy, pride, and excitement to Dick’s life as he shared with them his love of movies, monster trucks, wrestling, amazingly creative Halloween costumes, and so much more. As a trio and then as a quartet, The Heralds recorded five LP albums and traveled thousands of miles sharing the Gospel in word and song. Dick was a member of the Herald General Baptist Church for 47 years where he served as Trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, Teacher, Usher, and Choir Member.

Dick is survived by his wife of 45 and a half years, Carletta, sons Joshua (Cassandra) of Indiana and Jordan of Modesto. Grandsons Tony and Jacob LaValle of Indiana. Mother-in-law Alice Evans of Modesto. Sisters Barbara Price of Oklahoma and Ruth Guenzler (John) of Missouri, sisters-in-law Beth and Darlene Steele of Oakdale and Eddi Marie Julian of Modesto. Nephews Jerry (Katy) of Oakdale, Gene (Annette) Steele of Ripon, James (Crystal) Guenzler of Missouri, Jim (Christy) Julian II of Pinole. Nieces Leann (Jerry) Kelly of Oklahoma, Sandy (Benjamin) Moreno of Stockton, Paullette (Dave) Doubledee of Oakdale, Bethany Joy (Andy) Perryman of Missouri, Karin (Kevin) Hoselton of Modesto, and Jennifer (James)Chambers of Modesto. More than 20 grand nieces and nephews, and 1 great grandnephew. Richard was predeceased by his birth parents as well as “Dad” Bill, his brother Gerald, sister Ruby, nephew Jason, grandniece Dedra , father-in-law Dr. Evans, brother-in-law Dr. Julian

A graveside service with Military Honors will be conducted at Lakewood Cemetery at 1:00pm on Friday, October 20. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 21 at 3:00pm at the Herald General Baptist Church, 2120 Prescott Road in Modesto with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers and at Dick’s request memorial contributions may be made to Christian Berets, 1317 Oakdale Road #340, Modesto, CA 95355 or The Heralds Inc., 2017 Dickens Drive, Modesto, CA 95350. We wish to express our appreciation for the quality of care and medical attention given by the entire staff at the Community Living Center of the Palo Alto Veterans facility Menlo Park Campus during the last months of his life.