Richard (Dick) F. Macey Jr., Lakeland died in his home after an extended bout with Atypical Parkinsonism (Lewy Body Dementia), Friday, January 6, 2017 at the age of 69.

Dick was born February 4, 1947 in Birmingham, Alabama. He graduated from Chamblee High School and began attending Auburn University. Shortly thereafter he married Carol Jane (Peaches) Brown of Chamblee, Georgia on his birthday and became an Atlanta Police Officer and then a Motorcycle police officer. When he completed his undergraduate education at Georgia State University he gravitated to the steel distribution industry and therein found his calling. It's no surprise that he ended up in the steel industry as his father and namesake worked for US Steel for over 43 years. Given his entrepreneurial spirit he secured financing in 1975 and started his own steel pipe distribution company, Bartow Steel, which sold throughout the Southeast with a particular focus on the Central Florida Phosphate industry. In 1998 he and his brother sold Bartow Steel to a holding company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and he retired shortly thereafter but always kept track of "his baby". During his career he served on numerous industrial and philanthropic boards having received numerous accolades, the most notable being his nomination as a finalist for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year. Outside of work and family his interests included such diverse activities as coaching baseball and soccer, restoring hot rods, riding Harleys and drag racing; for which he was an enthusiastic participant for many years.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents Richard F. and Emily S. Macey of Charlotte, North Carolina. He is survived by his loving wife of almost fifty years, Peaches, and his three adult children; Emily Anderson and her husband Jeff of Suwanee, Georgia, Andy and his wife Amy of Jacksonville, Florida and Beth Noles and her husband Jeremy of Lakeland, Florida. He is also survived by his two brothers; Bob and his wife Jane of Lakeland, Florida and Mark of Charlotte, North Carolina. Dick is also survived by four grandchildren, Chase, Jacob, Sage and Stella as well as numerous nephews and nieces. He was a loving husband, father, brother and grandfather and his memory will live on in the lives of his family and his close friends. He will be sorely missed.

A Celebration of Life to honor Dick's lifetime of accomplishments will be held at a later date.

Dick's family would like to express their immeasurable gratitude for the compassionate and professional care provided by both the Kindred at Home and Vitas Healthcare families.

In closing, the family would like to offer the following information and make a personal request;

Mr. Macey's death was, in part, due to complications associated with Lewy Body Dementia. A very serious and debilitating disease that is not commonly familiar to the public. His family hopes to raise awareness of this long-term illness, that originates in the nervous system and progresses to a broad systemic failure, by sharing this personal insight to their loss.

Additional information about Lewy Body Dementia may be found at The Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) website:  https://www.lbda.org/category/3437/what-is-lbd.htm

His family has requested that those wishing to make a tribute to honor Mr. Macey's life, that was lived with great passion and purpose, continue this legacy by donating to The LBDA at the following website: http://www.firstgiving.com/LBDA

Thank You.

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