Richard Cordell “Dickie” Kerce, 62, of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Arcadia.

He was born Nov. 9, 1950, in Sumter, S.C., moving to Arcadia in 1964, from Sacramento, Calif.

Richard was a graduate of Desoto High School, class of 1968. After high school, he received his certification as an electrician and worked for Central Maloney Transformer until their closure. Richard also worked for DeSoto Memorial Hospital as a maintenance man. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. Dickie was a fun loving, kind, and generous man, who loved his family beyond measure. He was an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Marines Corps and a member of the Am-Vets Post 60, Arcadia, and the Arcadia Moose Lodge 1121. He was of the Protestant faith.

Survivors are his father, William Kerce, Arcadia; son, Matthew Kerce, Arcadia; sisters, Diane (Earl) Lyons, and Donna (Glen) Hines, both of Arcadia; and granddaughter, Chloe Kerce, Fort Myers, Fla. Richard is preceded in death by his mother, Peggy Skates Kerce.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at the chapel of Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, 50 No. Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Ellis Cross officiating. The DeSoto Honor Guard will render military honors at the cemetery. Burial will be in Joshua Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Richard’s memory to the American Cancer Society, Mid-south Division, Inc., Attn: Shirley Watters, 1100 Ireland Way, Suite 300, Birmingham, AL, 35205. Online condolences may be made at pongerkaysgrady.com.

Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Arcadia.