James Richard "Rick" Vasseau

James Richard “Rick” Vasseau, 65, of Kellogg died on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.  A visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory, followed by military honors.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Kellogg American Legion Post 355 to be used for a scholarship in Rick’s name may be left at the funeral home.

Rick, the son of John and Nellie Mae (Mathis) Vasseau, was born on September 25, 1951 in DeWitt, Arkansas.  He grew up in Royal, Arkansas and attended school in Lake Hamilton.  In 1970, Rick began his career in the U.S. Army where he served in Vietnam.  After being honorably discharged in 1976, he later joined and retired from the Iowa National Guard. 

In 1974, Rick moved to Jasper County, Iowa, where he would live the rest of his life. Rick was united in marriage with Sharon Van Veen on March 12, 1976.  He worked for the Highway Department of Jasper County, retiring in 2014.  He also bartended at Side Tracks Bar and Grill in Kellogg.  Rick was a member of the Kellogg American Legion Post 355, where he served as Commander for many years.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gambling, cooking, and smoking meat.  Rick enjoyed helping and serving others in his community.

Rick is survived by his children, Carmen Spears of Norcross, Georgia, Randy Vasseau of Kellogg, and Scott (Becki) Vasseau of Newton; grandchildren, Kelsie Spears, Brooke Weithers, Ridge Weithers, Lexi Vasseau, Bailey Vasseau, Vanessa Vasseau, Viana Vasseau, Hunter Vasseau, Tyler Haack, Kendra Haack, Nicole Haack, and Payton Haack; great-grandchildren, Lyric, Kyson, and Kinslee; his eight brothers and sisters; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Gayla Spears; three brothers; and one sister.

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