Richard Jacob Steele, Jr., age 76, of Wilmington, DE and Port Penn, DE passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

Born in 1947 in Easton, Maryland to the late Lorie G. (Willis) Steele and Richard J. Steele Sr., Richard grew up in Red Lion, DE. He retired from the DuPont Company, Experimental Station, as a Senior Research Manager. His work background also included employment with the Pennsylvania Railroad and Chrysler Corporation.

Richard graduated in 1965 from Gunning Bedford, Jr. H.S. and received his Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Wilmington University in 1978. He enlisted with the Department of the Navy, United States Atlantic Fleet, and served with the Seabees, Amphibious Construction Battalion in Coronado, CA before being deployed to Vietnam in Da Nang, Chu Lai, and the Quang Tri Province during the Vietnam War. Upon his return to the States, he was stationed in Little Creek, VA.

Richard planted a vegetable garden yearly, starting a lot of his plants from seeds in pots on the windowsills of his home to put in his raised beds when the time was right, and he was very generous in sharing results of his labor with family and friends. He liked yard sales and Cowtown. He was an excellent cook. He knew so much about so many varied subjects. He liked to sit down and watch old movies and westerns as well as read the “funnies” in the Sunday newspapers, particularly the Washington Post. He had a great sense of humor. He was a member of AA and had 33+ years of sobriety with and because of them, always being available should a member of that “family” need help.

He was predeceased by his wife, Cecelia (Mangiocco) Steele and his sister, Peggy A. Atwell.

He is survived by his daughter, Lorieann Steele; his sisters, Gwendolyn R. Jimenez and Polly Anna Brown (Richard F. Brown – deceased); and a niece, Gail (Atwell) Kracyla. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, a host of aunts, nieces, cousins, neighbors, friends and acquaintances.

A viewing will be held Monday, July 29, 2024 from 11am to 12noon at Gebhart Funeral Home, 3401 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703, where a funeral service will begin at 12noon.  Burial will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to your favorite charity.

To offer condolences, please visit:

Gebhartfuneralhomes.com

302.798.7726