Robert D. "Butch" Gee, age 83 of Defiance, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born on February 8, 1941 to the late Walter and Myrtle "Tillie" (Miller) Gee in Hicksville, Ohio. He was a graduate of Jewell High School. On January 6, 1963 he married Ruth Ann Rettig, who survives.

Butch was a member of Independence United Methodist Church and Moose Lodge #2094 in Defiance. He worked for over 52 years as a truck driver for several companies including Wayne Glore, United Trucking, D&M, and Neuhauser Hatchery. He also did maintenance work for Richland Township. Butch loved country music, watching sporting events on TV, and especially spending time with his children and grandchildren. Butch will be greatly missed by his family and many good friends. Butch is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Ruth Ann Gee, and his children, Jeffrey (Sharri) Gee, Sherry (Keith) Carnahan, and Sara (Shura) Karzynow, all of Defiance. He also leaves behind five grandchildren; Shawn Carnahan, Lizzy (Scott) Humes, Austin (Ashley Flohe) Karzynow, Kyla (Brendan Rupp) Karzynow, and Jessica Gee, four great-grandchildren, Sam, Auden, Benson and Kaiden, and his sister Carol (Archie) Grimes of Jewell, OH. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Gee, Jr., and grandson, Jeffrey Allen Gee. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the family, c/o Ruth Ann Gee.