Joe S. Lee

Joe S. Darby Lee, age 82, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Thursday, January 19, 2012, at Richmond Care Center in Richmond, Kansas. He was born on Monday, November 11, 1929, in Timmonsville, South Carolina, the son of Soloman and Jettie (Pender) Lee. He was a resident of Ottawa since 1968, moving from California. He served twenty years in the United States Air Force attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served in the Korean War, retiring March 1, 1968. Following his military retirement, he worked several jobs; including, warehouse supply delivery for Joel Cutting; delivery for Ottawa Millworks; and greeter for Wal-Mart, all of Ottawa. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901 of Ottawa, serving as Post Jr. Vice Commander in 2008 and 2009; and was formerly an Ottawa Senior Center board member. On Saturday, October 22, 1955, Joe was united in marriage with Evelyn Alberta Fritts in Topeka, Kansas. She preceded him in death on March 20, 1995. He is survived by his: Daughter-Becky Hastings and her husband, Sam, of Ottawa, Kansas; Sister-Jettie Modell Gainey of Florence, South Carolina; Sister-Betty Jean Templeman and her husband, William, of Brandon, Florida; Grandchild-Danielle Bigler of Ottawa; Grandchild-Minnetta Conley of Ottawa; Grandchild-Zachary Hastings of Ottawa; Grandchild-Randy Hastings of Ottawa; Grandchild-Devin Hastings of Ottawa; Great-Grandchild-Tyler Conley of Ottawa. He is preceded in death by his: Wife-Evelyn Alberta Lee; Infant daughter-EveLena Elizabeth Lee; Parents-Soloman and Jettie Lee; Brother-Charles Ray Lee; Sister-Dorothy Pate and Sister-Allie Wells Gainey. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2012. IN STATE: Mr. Lee will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 1:00 p.m. on Sunday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends from 4:00 to 5:00 Sunday afternoon. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Ottawa Senior Center, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.