A native and lifelong resident of Polk County, he was a son of the late Leonard and Bonnie Kate Curton Cheek. He regularly attended Zion Baptist Church in Benton,was a veteran of the US Army, and recipient of the Purple Heart.

Survivors include his wife, Mary "Midge" Cheek of Benton; three sons, Troy Howard Cheek, Tracy Boyd, and Tony Roger Cheek, all of Benton; two grandsons, Austin Scott Cheek and Eddie Douglas Cheek, both of Benton; one sister, Margaret Daneen Newkirk of Nashville; and two nephews, Dustin and Brett Newkirk.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 2, 2011 at Zion Baptist Church in Benton. The body will lie in state from 1:30 to 2 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Zion Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, January 1, 2011 at the funeral home.

Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah in charge of arrangements.