63 year old Calvin Phillip Dees of Bergman, Arkansas, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, April 24, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Harrison, Arkansas, on July 13, 1952, to Curtis Calvin and Maudie (Blevins) Dees, he graduated from Bergman High School in 1970.

A professional truck driver for most of his adult life, Daddy-O drove millions of accident-free miles to earn a living for his family. Traveling the country in a time before GPS, he was always prepared to give directions regardless of where you were going or what city you happened to be in. This life experience also contributed to him being a brilliant, if rather vocal, backseat driver.

If you ever had a conversation with our dad, you know that his family was his top priority and his greatest source of pride. In every way, he put our mom and us first. He was also the fun uncle to his nieces and nephews. As a nephew recently said, "he was the love in our family" always ready with a smile, hug, joke, or word of advice. Not a day or visit went by without a hug, a laugh, and an "I love you."

He is survived by his deeply-loved wife of 41 years Charlotte Dees, his daughter Elizabeth "Beth" Dees, his son and daughter-in-law Calvin Ray Dees and Dawn (Brumley) Dees, his adored grandsons Levi Dees and Andrew Dees, his sister Joy (Dees) Collins (Ned Collins) and his sister-in-law Darlene (Tate) Dees.

Dad's heavenly reunion included his parents, grandparents, brother David Dees, sister Kay (Dees) Dodson, brother-in-law David Dodson, and niece Vonna Edwards.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Thursday, April 28, 2016 at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison with Brother Bill Edgar officiating. Visitation will also be at Coffman Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, and everyone is invited to attend and share fun stories about our beloved Daddy-O.

In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to St. Jude's, Convoy of Hope, and/or Legacy Hospice.

Interment will be at White Oak Cemetery (Harrison, AR) with Jessie Dees, Donnie Honeycutt, Tim Moore, Doug Dodson, John Earl Dees, and Jason Honeycutt acting as pallbearers.

Naming honorary pallbearers is an impossible task as Dad earned and returned the love and respect of so many. Instead we'd like to name a few of those who brightened his days during what was a brave, hard fought but mercifully short battle with a devastating disease.

These include the aforementioned pallbearers along with Jerry and Jolene Edwards, Rhonda Honeycutt, Nathan Honeycutt, Diona Honeycutt, Clifford and Rhonda Renee Honeycutt, Ronnie and Leanna Honeycutt, Tammy Moore, Linda Conway, Darlene Young, Scott and Donna Dees, Ronnie Stone, Rocky Tate, Jerry and Karen Hardesty, Zach Rogers, and all of his in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

We would also like to recognize Brother Bill Edgar and Kevin Jones for sharing hope, the Word, and bible-study with Dad. During his last months he often made a point to say, "I'm saved. Are you?"

In the tradition of his witty sense of humor and spot-on advice, we would like to leave you with the following. First, love your family with all you have. Laugh often and loudly as this is the fastest way to a full and joyous life. Always be humble and take up for the underdog. Take care of your equipment, and it will take care of you. Stay out of a big truck's blind spot; either go around or stay behind it. And finally, for the love of all that's holy, use your blinker and remember that the left lane is for passing only.

On-line condolences may be left at coffmanfh.com.