Obituaries

Lonney “Big Lon” Dees, 71, of Independence, Kentucky, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on September 3, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, Kentucky, following a short but aggressive battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

To know Big Lon was to know a man who was larger than life. He was loud, strong, funny, and unforgettable. He was the kind of man whose personality could fill a room and whose heart could hold his entire family. He was the kind of man who made up songs, told stories, loved to laugh, and could turn an ordinary moment into a memory.

But beneath that big personality was an even bigger heart.

On May 6, 1978, Lonney married the love of his life, Connie Dees. Together, they built a life and a family that meant more to Lonney than anything in this world. Their marriage spanned 48 years, through life's joys and hardships, and Connie remained by his side throughout their life together and through his final battle.

Family was everything to Lonney. His greatest joy was spending time with the people he loved, especially his grandchildren. His family was his everything, and the memories he created with them will be treasured for generations.

Lonney was a hardworking man who spent his career as a computer programmer with Hickman, Williams, and Company before retiring. Retirement allowed him to spend more time at one of his favorite places—the water. Big Lon loved fishing, especially bow fishing with the guys, and spending time outdoors. He loved sports, especially his Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Reds, and watching Kynleigh play ball.

He loved to eat, loved to sleep, loved to sing, and was notorious for making up the words to songs and coming up with random words. He also had an uncanny ability to fall asleep in the blink of an eye—anywhere, anytime, no matter what was going on around him. If there was a chair, a couch, a boat, or just about any place he could get comfortable, Big Lon could somehow be asleep before you knew it. And, of course, he loved a good day at the beach.

Above all else, Lonney was a man of faith. He was a lifelong member of Sherman Full Gospel Church in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, where his faith was not simply something he talked about—it was something he lived. He sang praise and worship and had a special passion for participating in the church's dramas, most notably embracing the role of Judas.

Lonney had a heart for witnessing to others about Jesus Christ. He wanted people to know the Lord he loved, and his faith was an important part of who he was. In fact, he was doing his Bible study on faith when he became sick. The last note Lonney wrote was that it was easier for him to have faith for others than for himself. And that's a testament to his love for helping others. Even in his final days, his heart and mind were turned toward God.

During his final battle, Lonney was surrounded by a medical team who took every measure possible to support him, care for him, and meet his final needs. His family is especially grateful for the compassion and care shown to him throughout his short illness.

Among those caring for him was his favorite nurse—his daughter, Kourtney. As a nurse, Kourtney was able to use her knowledge and skills to care for her dad, but as his daughter, she was able to give him something even greater: the love of his little girl. Being able to care for her dad and remain by his side during his final days was an honor and a gift she will carry with her for the rest of her life.

Lonney is survived by his loving wife, Connie Dees; his daughter, Kourtney (Brandon) Hurst; his son, David Dees; his granddaughters, Kynleigh and Whitley Hurst; and his grandson, Aaron Dees. He is also survived by a large and loving family of siblings, nieces, nephews, in-laws, extended family, friends, and fellow church members who will forever carry his memory in their hearts.

He was preceded in death by his son, Wayne Dees; his mother, Lillian Jane Miracle; and his father-in-law, Bunny Gambrell.

There will never be another Big Lon.

There will never be another voice quite as loud, another personality quite as big, another set of blue eyes quite as beautiful, or another man who could turn an ordinary moment into a memory simply by being himself.

His family will miss his songs, his laughter, his stories, his strong personality, his love of food, his fishing adventures, his sports, his ability to fall asleep anywhere at any time, and all of the little things that made him uniquely Lonney.

Most of all, they will miss him.

But they will carry him forward—in the stories they tell, in the songs they remember, in the laughter he left behind, in the love he poured into his family, and in the faith he so passionately shared with others.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 5th at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home, 11382 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051. Visitation begins at 11:00am until the time of service at 1:00pm. The Dees family will honor Big Lon with a private graveside service at Floral Hills Memorial Garden.