Leland Dale Dees

Leland Dale Dees, 95, a lifetime resident of Piggott, Arkansas, passed away February 8, 2025, at Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott, Arkansas.

He was born on July 15, 1929, in Piggott, Arkansas, and was the son of Dale and Augusta (Fulks) Dees. His childhood was filled with hunting, fishing, camping and swimming with his friends. At the age of 6, his parents bought him a guitar from Montgomery Wards and this began a life filled with love of music. He was playing rhythm at Piggott school dances at age six and at the age of 12, his uncle gave him his first fiddle. He self-taught himself to play many other instruments, anything with a string, never reading a piece of music, instead playing everything by ear. During high school he played bass drum in the Piggott Marching Band. In 1946, Leland was approached by Ray Van to try out for a new hillbilly band. His fiddle performance earned him a spot on the band and he soon began his career with Ray Van and the Arkansas Travelers where they could be heard every morning on KLCN in Blytheville, the first radio station in Arkansas. Leland played with many great bluegrass singers throughout the country including, Jim and Jesse McReynolds, Ralph Stanley, Frank Munser, Doug Dillard and many more along with several great bluegrass bands including Shady Hill Bluegrass, the Bootheel Jamboree, Clay County Bluegrass, and The Darlings. He also played in many venues around the country, even having the opportunity to play at the Grand Ole Opry. In the 1970s and 80s Dees spent a lot of time with Tim Crouch selling Electrolux vacuum cleaners during the day and playing competitions everywhere from Jonesboro to Salem in the evening.

After going to an event at the Greenway School, he fell in love with Katherine Lucille Parker and on October 1, 1949, they were united in marriage. They spent 65 years in marriage before she preceded him in death in October of 2014. He was also preceded by an infant brother.

Leland is survived by his son, Terry Dees of Piggott, Arkansas; grandchildren: Autumn Turner and husband Vance, Leigh Ragan, Michelle Walls and husband Kendall; great-grandchildren: Charlie Turner, Allie Turner, Ryleigh Ragan, Sydney Mathews and husband Josh, and Summer Clark and husband Blaine; greatgreat grandchildren: Elijah, Jeremiah, Parker, Cora; and many other relatives and friends.

Graveside service were held Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Piggott Cemetery in Piggott, Arkansas, with Bro. Mike Book officiating. Burial was in Piggott Cemetery in Piggott, Arkansas. Pallbearers were Richard Smart, Ronald Johnson, Rodney Besserman, Charlie Turner, Vance Turner, and JR Rogers. Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.