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Richard “Rick” Luse went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the evening of July 26, 2025 in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Rick was born to Carl E Luse, PhD and Marjorie (Ryals) Luse on February 14, 1947 in Centerville, Iowa. He was the middle child with two sisters, Sandy and Candy. Rick graduated from City High in Iowa City in 1965 and the University of Iowa in 1972 with a degree in Business Management.
Rick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1968 and was honorably discharged in February 1970. His service in Vietnam was honored with the Navy Commendation Medal and with V device for valor. He was also nominated for the Bronze Star.
On June 20 1970 he married Sammi Jo Adams, the love of his life at the Presbyterian Church in Blue Grass, Iowa. They were blessed with three children Cedra, Tony, and Janelle. After graduating from the University of Iowa, Rick worked as a manager on two large cattle farms, one in Unionville, Missouri and the other in Alton, Illinois. In 1984 he went to work for the ServiceMaster Company where he was the Director of Housekeeping in three large hospitals, two in Manhattan, Kansas, and one in Topeka, Kansas. In 1988 he became the Director of Buildings and Grounds for the Marshalltown School District in Iowa, and then moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee to manage one of the largest accounts in the United States, Hamilton County School District where he retired from in 2007.
He and Sammi Jo returned to Marshalltown after his retirement to be near their children and grandchildren. Rick was a member of New Hope Christian Church, Iowa River Gun Club, Steamboat Rock Gun Club, and the NRA. Through the years, Rick enjoyed showing dogs, Doberman Pinchers and Smooth Fox Terriers. He was an avid bulls-eye pistol shooter earning all 10 levels for the NRA sharp shooter. Rick also enjoyed driving, drag racing, and showing his 2011 supercharged Camaro. He loved watching his grandchildren play sports and hearing about their academic achievements. He enjoyed watching his great grandchildren play.
Left to cherish his memory is Sammi Jo his wife of 55 years, his three children, Cedra (David) Baccam, Tony Luse, and Janelle (Brad) Avise, his six grandchildren, DJ Baccam, Lafawn (Andy) Kral, Cole Baccam and girlfriend, Marina Ruppel, Tori Luse, Kadin Skala and fiancé, Anna Dilorio, and Bella Avise, four great grandsons, Dezmond Baccam, Jack, Matthew, and Tommy Kral, and one step great granddaughter, Alenzcia Baccam, his sisters, Sandy Hill and Candy Wenger, and many nieces and nephews.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers-in-law Arthur Hill and Donnie Wenger.
Funeral services for Rick will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025 beginning at 11:00 A.M. at New Hope Christian Church in Marshalltown, Iowa. A visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services. Graveside services will be held on Sunday, August 3, 2025 in Unionville, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rick’s name may be designated to Iowa River Hospice. To send a condolence to the family, please contact 641-844-1234 or visit www.mitchellfh.com for additional information.
Rick Luse was a good, decent man who loved God, his family, his country, and God‘s creation. He was a true American hero, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
-Lovingly written by Rick’s family.
https://www.mitchellfh.com/obituaries/richard-rick-luse
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Jon Coffey
The following is a condolence by a fellow US Marine who served with Rick in Vietnam.
I had the honor and privilege of serving in the Marine Corps with Rick. We arrived in Vietnam, January 1, 1969 and we were assigned to Golf Company, 2ndBn., 7thMarines, 1st Marine Division. Golf 2/7 was located at a place called Hill 22. Rick and I were initally assigned as riflemen to 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon. Rick was an outstanding Marine. All those who knew Rick thought very highly of him and his future leadership qualities. He soon became a Squad Leader. We enjoyed reconnecting at our annual G 2/7 Reunions. I recently had dinner with Rick and Sammi Jo, along with another Marine, Virgil Irons and his wife Jeanne in late October, 2024. We were all making plans to attend our G 2/7 Reunion this Mid September in Traverse City, Michigan. Our brother Rick and his wife Sammi Jo will be sorely missed. After our time in the Marine Corps, we found out that we lived less than an hour apart, Rick and Sammi Jo in Marshalltown, Iowa and my wife and me in Des Moines. Approximately 17 years ago, I received a call from Rick. He wanted to get together and get another Marine tattoo. We both got the exact same tattoo. Rick and I talked at length about our love for the Lord Jesus Christ. I rejoice in the hope of seeing my brother again, with the possibility of the two of us standing guard duty at the heavenly gates as per the Marine Corps Guidebook. Semper Fidelis brother Rick... In His mighty grip, Rick Lewis
Rick Lewis
Jul 29, 2025
Jon Coffey
The following words of condolence were written on the Mitchell Funeral Home website by another US Marine who served in Vietnam with Rick. These words show what kind of Marine and person Rick came across to others who served with him.
My Brother Rick, I missed your Emails these past couple of days. Rick and I were pretty tight in the Nam, both of us running squads in third herd. This Marine had all of his stuff in one bag. I was Honored to have been his Brother in War and as a civilian. 'We hooked up several reunions ago and have been in touch daily via Email. I know that you are in Heaven, be sure to tell our Lord Jesus some of your off the wall jokes. Tell the rest of our Golf 2/7 Marines I said Hello and that I will be seeing you when Jesus calls my name. Rick, thank you for being you. Squad Leaders Up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!''Semper Fidelis, Frank Rodriquez
Frank E Rodriquez
Jul 29, 2025