Richard (Rick) Lightel

Richard (Rick) Lightel, of Akron, Ohio, passed away from cancer on January 8, 2026 at the age of 76.

Rick was born in Dover on January 19, 1949, to the late Betty (Sherrets) and Eugene Lightel. The family lived in New Philadelphia and Alliance before moving to Kent where Rick spent many years of his life. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1967 and attended Kent State University.

It was in Kent that Rick began his lifelong love affair with music. From high school on, he was active in the Kent and Northeast Ohio band scene. He played bass guitar professionally in at least 50 bands, starting with Kent-based rock bands like The Turnkeys, The Mottley Odds, and The Measles. He continued playing many genres of music, including jazz fusion and country rock. He later recorded his own and others’ music in the studio he built in his Akron home. Rick formed lifelong bonds with many fellow musicians, including good friends Jerry Losh and Bill Severance.

To pay the bills when music could not, Rick became a certified HVAC, refrigeration, and service technician working for companies like Serex and Rohan Vending. He retired in 2006 after ten years with Coca-Cola.

Rick was an avid runner, competing in races and marathons from the 1970s to 90s. He enjoyed working on his 1968 Chevy van, fishing, watching football, basketball, Olympic competitions, and auto racing. Compassion fueled his great love: caring for his pets. Many cats, birds, and especially dogs found a place in his kind heart and home.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, wife Diana Lynn (Munn) Rooks, sister Diane (Lightel) Bell, brother-in-law Dennis Carroll, girlfriend Kass Becht Wise, and many cherished pets.

Rick remains in the hearts of all those who loved him, including sister Jeanine (Lightel) Carroll; brother-in-law Donald Bell; nephews Daniel Carroll and Jacob (Ela) Carroll, Matthew Bell and Michael (Aimee) Bell, great-niece Amelia and great-nephews, Oliver, Parker, and Kilian; step-mother and -sister June and Eva Lightel and four stepbrothers; Arnold, Hall and Lightel cousins, extended family, and friends. He is greatly missed by his beloved senior dogs Lucy and Lilly.

A gathering this spring/summer will celebrate Rick’s life; obituary will be updated once scheduled. To honor Rick’s love of animals, the family suggests memorial donations to Rose’s Rescue (PO Box 33 Rootstown, OH 44272 www.rosesrescue.net) or the Madonio Animal Trust of the Portage Foundation, 1204 Tallmadge Rd, Kent, OH 44240 www.madonio-animal-trust.org).

Arrangements entrusted to Adams Mason Funeral Home (330)535-9186