R.E. Quick III, 76, passed away at his Lee’s Summit home, Friday, October 19, 2018 surrounded by family and his Serenity Hospice caregivers. Raymond Earl Quick III “R.E.” was born August 16, 1942, in Chariton County on Nanny Judd’s kitchen table to Raymond “Earl” Quick, Jr. and “Helen” Merceda Judd. (Grandparents were Emma Pischel Judd and Raymond Earl Judd of Indian Grove, MO) After the war ended, the family moved to Brunswick, Missouri, where Earl Quick opened Quick Electric.
Then in 1955 the Quick’s moved to Lake Lotawana. where R.E. started his first business, a lawn mowing business called, “You grow, I’ll Mow”. R.E. graduated from LSHS in 1960 where he was #44 on the basketball court.
He attended William Jewell College and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. After college he went to work for Evans Electric where he worked as an electrician. Later, he and his wife opened JOCO Electric, an electrical contracting company.
In 1977, they returned to Lee’s Summit and opened Quick Electric and later G.N.U. Electric. Operating nine crews out of his shop on Douglas St. He designed and donated all the material and labor for the LS Chamber of Commerce for Cole Younger Days at the fairground. Many of his last major electrical contracting accomplishments can still be seen around the city and include the first KCI Airport remodel, Bernard Campbell Middle School, Lee’s Summit North High School, and Trailridge Elementary.
He really enjoyed working with Winston Conkling of LSR7. He was able to standardize all the materials as to reduce the parts storage. After retiring, he continued the contracting business and donated material and labor to Giant Steps and other worthy causes.
R.E. was a proud Life Member and Benefactor of the NRA. He also enjoyed going to Grain Valley Race Track, I-70 Speedway and Willey Jeep Conventions with Gary Diehl a long-time friend. He spent Nascar Race day with Diehl at Lee’s Summit Minsky’s Pizza enjoying a Canadian bacon and double sauerkraut on wheat crust pizza.
He also enjoyed helping and participating in the fundraiser events at the Lake Lotawana VFW Post 6272, where his parents were both founding charter members. His humor, love for dogs and family will be forever missed, but we will meet again. Yes, Heaven gained another Angel, between his Dad “Sparky” and R.E. “Ol’ Wire nut” they have already redesigned the pearly gates with a spotlight for us.
He is preceded in death by his parents and wife, Shirley Jo (Helm) Quick. R.E. is survived by three step-sons that he raised and considered his own: Doug Helm (Jennifer) and their children Brittany, Haley, and Clayton of Colorado Springs, CO. , Steve Helm of Colorado Springs, CO.
, and Greg Helm (Kim) and their children Jordon and Taylor of Fountain Hills, AZ. All three sons worked for R.E. and he taught them the electrical trade. Sister Linda Quick Ahern and her children Sean (Michelle) Ahern of Lee’s Summit, children Amanda (Matt) Hollaway children Adalyn and Olivia of Lake Lotawana, Austin Ahern and Sarah Ahern of Lee’s Summit.
Brian Ahern (Bobbi McMillin), Kassidy Logsdon of Raymore, children Zachary Ahern of Shawnee, KS. and Kelsey Ahern of Sedalia, MO. Many cousins and nephews.
The family would like to thank Serenity Care Hospice for their love and dedicated service to R.E. these past four years. Matt Darby and Sandy Sanders will forever be a part of our extended family, along with the helpers that stayed with R.E. while Linda kept her office open. You all helped make his wishes to stay at home possible and the stories you heard!
Celebration of Life for R.E. will be Saturday, October 27th from 4-7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 189 located at 820 SW Vista Drive, Lee’s Summit. There will be a service at 4 p.m. followed by celebration of life and a meal. You are invited to share a memory, a hug, and bit to eat.
If you want to bring a dish to share you are welcome to, but it is not necessary. Private burial in the Lee’s Summit Historic Cemetery next to his parents, will be later. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Lee’s Summit Fire Fighter Charities, 322 SE Douglas, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 and in memo line Historic Fire Truck; Answering the Call, 10 NE Tudor Rd, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64086.
Answering the Call was founded by one of our own LSPD officers to support all First Responders in a time of need, financial and community awareness. Both are 501 c3 organizations. His service to others will live on.
The family has entrusted Longview Funeral Home & Cemetery with cremation. 12700 Raytown Rd, Kansas City, Missouri 64149-1044.
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