ARCOLA - Richard Lee "Dick" McDade, 87, of Arcola passed away Tuesday (March 4, 2025).Richard was born Jan. 30, 1938, in Urbana, to Marie and Sherman McDade. He was a fun-loving, spirited boy who, with his brother and best friend, Ronnie, was often at loose ends as his mom did her best to keep five children in line.In his sophomore year at Urbana High School, Warren Smith - "Smitty" to generations of Urbana athletes – became the football coach and changed Dick's life. Smitty gave direction to this talented but rambunctious young man, later telling The News-Gazette that Dick was a coach's dream. "You never have to tell him twice," Smitty said. "And he'll put in 100 percent all the time."The News-Gazette named Dick their All-State halfback in 1955, and when interviewed about the honor, Dick spent his time praising his coach and his teammates. "What good is any back if he doesn't have ten just as good - if not better - men beside him?" The attitude he had as a teenage sports star was gen

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