Leon Emerson Lee, 86, son of Fred and Emma “Dovey” Gordineer Lee, was born March 5, 1922, at Inola, Okla. He died July 15, 2008, at Licking Park Manor.
He married Opal Ruth Dewitt May 20, 1943, at Houston. They were married 65 years and had 12 children.
Mr. Lee was drafted May 20, 1943, into the U.S. Army, where he fought in World War II.
Mr. Lee did several types of work in his life and retired in 1984. He resided in Texas County since that time.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Betty Jane and Freddie Dean; one sister, Annabelle Lee; and two grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife of the home in Houston; 10 children, Bobbie Jean Lee and Patsy Louise Hebert of Summersville, Carol Ann Roe of Fitch, Texas, Barbara Ann Ford of Salem, Danny Lee of Mountain View, Donna Ruth Heavin, David Glen Lee and Theresa Lynn Villarreal of Houston, Leroy Elvis Lee of Ottawa, Kan., and Karen Sue Shroup of Licking; two brothers, Leroy Lee of Oregon and James Lee of Raymondville; two sisters, Rosie Dewitt of Potosi and Eunice Nicholson of Tulsa, Okla.; 43 grandchildren, 77 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Services were July 19 at the Eunice Baptist Church with the Rev. Brad Wallace officiating. Burial with full military honors was in the Friendship Cemetery at Raymondville under the direction of Bradford Funeral Home of Summersville.
