LCDR C. A. “Al” Lee, Jr.,USNR, Ret., a resident of Panama City Beach, passed away on September 30, 2011 at a Tallahassee hospital. Lieutenant Commander Charles Alton (Al) Lee, Jr. (USNR retired) was born November 18, 1940 in Atlanta, GA. He was the son of Charlie and Evelyn Lee (both deceased). Commander Lee graduated from The Marion Military Institute, Marion, AL; class of 1958. He graduated from The Citadel, Charleston, SC; class of 1962 with a BS in Pre-Med. He was voted “most likely to marry the most wonderful woman in the world!” He entered the Naval Flight School in Pensacola in 1963 and became a Naval Aviator. He served in VS-26, Norfolk, VA, and VE-24, Naples, Italy. He joined Delta Air Lines in August, 1969, as a pilot. He remained active with the Navy Reserves, retiring from Naval Reserves in 1983 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. As a 22 year resident of Spring, Texas, Commander Lee served his community in many ways: Volunteer fireman, Cub Scout leader, Boy Scout leader, Civic leader. He served as co-president of the Northampton home-owners association, and as co-president of the Northampton Elementary school Parent Faculty Organization. He chaired many fund-raising committees for both. He was a major figure in the Root Road Riders horseback riding club, as well as the Harris County Sheriff’s Department Junior Mounted Posse; a precision mounted riding team of youngsters serving the area with rodeo shows, and other activities. As co-president of the Homeowners association, one of his major contributions was negotiations with the cable TV company for a percentage of the gross payable to the Homeowners association. Commander Lee also single-handedly was in charge of rebuilding the Volunteer fire station after it burned down in the late 1970’s. Upon his retirement, as an international Boeing 767 captain from Delta Air Lines, he and his wife Bettie built a home in Panama City Beach. He became involved with the Dolphin Bay Owner’s Association as a director and secretary. He held that post for three years. He was a member of the Lynn Haven Rotary Club. He was a member of the Bay Point Yacht Club. He and Bettie volunteered for many duties at the club. Commander Lee was the Fleet Captain for two years. Commander Lee will hopefully be missed by his friends. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 47 years, Bettie Lee; children, Candice Lee Sorosiak and husband Kevin, Charles Lee, III, Christopher Lee; 2 brother-in-laws, George Ozburn and Donald Ozburn and wife Carol; grandchildren, Stephanie Sorosiak, Nathan Sorosiak, Lauren Lee and Olivia Lee; along with many grand nieces and grand nephews. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home chapel with Col. Ali Frohlich officiating. Tags: 1962
Posted in:
Posted on:
Link to original obituary: