David E. Lee

David E. Lee (Gene) was born to George and Martha Lee, with the assistance of a midwife on March 28, 1922 at the family farm in Linden, North Carolina. As a child he worked on the family farm, feeding the mules and hogs and taking water in his little wagon to the workers in the fields. Sometimes when he fed watermelons to the hogs, he would jump into the pen to get the ripe ones before the hogs could get to them. When he was about five, he lost the tip of the index finger on his left hand. His dad picked him up and carried him in the house where his mother bandaged him up and it healed well. Over the years, he would tease his grandkids by putting the end of this finger to his nose and look like he had it stuck up his nose to the first knuckle. He also could really pinch you with that finger. His closest friend growing up was his cousin, George Raynor. His siblings included Buddy, Isabelle, Estelle, Wayman, Sudie Mae, Mabel, and Zouline. At about the age of 16 he was hired to drive the school bus. He then worked in the logging business with his cousin George, and afterwards joined AT&T and worked all over the South. He quit working for AT&T and was drafted into the Army Signal Corps in 1942. After basic training in Fresno, California, he went home on leave prior to shipping out for WWII. He often told the story of his “three bad days” from when he was pulled off the train by the Military Police due to overcrowding while attempting to return to his unit at the end of his leave. His Company Commander had no sympathy and said he should have walked back from North Carolina. It followed him his entire Army career and delayed his retirement by one month for those “three bad days”. He served in North Africa and Italy during WWII, and while in Italy, he was offered a commission, but declined in order to separate from the service and return home. After one month as a civilian, he re-enlisted and served a total of 20 years in the Army, retiring in 1963 at the rank of Master Sergeant (E8). During his years and travels in the Army, he met many people. While stationed in Okinawa in 1950 he had a son Takabu. In 1952, he was stationed as the wire chief of the telephone exchange at the Maginot Caserne in Verdun, France, where he met a lovely French girl. Andree Berard worked as an operator at the telephone exchange, and she chased him until he caught her. She said that she fell in love with him at first sight and told all the other girls that he was taken. He proceeded to ignore her until she accepted the offer of a date from a rival soldier. He then promptly (within 10 minutes) asked her out and she said yes and dumped the other guy. It was history! They were married on March 5, 1954 in Verdun. Their first child, David, was born later that year in the military hospital in Verdun. The next year, they packed up and moved to Fort Benning, Georgia by way of Fayetteville, North Carolina to introduce his bride and son to his family. While in Georgia, their second son, Gerald was born. After six months, and with 2 young sons, they again moved, this time to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where they again stayed less than one year, before moving to Fort Hood, Texas where their third son, Michel was born. After the birth of Michel (and again, less than one year) they packed their house and growing family and moved to Fontainebleau, France where he was assigned to NATO and then moved within the year to Saar, France (now Germany). They remained in France until 1960, when they moved to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, where their fourth son, Wayne was born. On the day he was born, he was a deep red color with a shock of black hair and Dad exclaimed “Hail Geronimo!” at which time the nurse almost threw him out. About a year and a half after Wayne's arrival, they moved to Fort Carson, Colorado, where of all things, a daughter, Natalie, was born. Dad was so happy, he and a friend, with the help of a bottle of Old Grand Dad, tiled half the downstairs room floor upside down. In February, 1963, he retired from the Army and they went for a short stay in Fayetteville, NC with his family. In May, he accepted a job with the Government in White Sands, NM and the family moved to Alamagordo for a short period, before settling in El Paso, Texas for a few years. In 1967, he accepted a transfer to the Satellite Communications Agency at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and moved the family first to Neptune and then to Toms River, where they stayed until 1980. He then retired from the Civil Service as a GS-12 Satellite Communications Technician. While in New Jersey, he had ample opportunity to enjoy his favored hobbies of fishing and gardening. As the older children had moved on, he and the rest of the family moved to Odessa, Texas where two of the sons were living. He accepted a job in the oil business selling drilling equipment where he remained for 11 years. Upon his complete retirement, he and Mom moved to Burnet, Texas with the intention of fishing. He didn't do as much fishing as he'd have liked, but he had an excellent garden and fruit and pecan trees. On one occasion, while trying to clear some vines from high in his peach tree, while on a ladder, he grasped the vines, leaned back, and snipped, causing him and the ladder to fall backwards. He banged his head pretty well, but said he did more damage to the concrete driveway. In 2004, they moved to the Killeen area to house sit their daughters house while she was deployed with the Army. Upon her return, they bought a home in Belton, Texas, where he fell and broke his wrist. After 2 years in Belton, they again moved to Killeen, to house sit a second time for their daughter who was overseas. Upon her return, they stayed there in Killeen, where he enjoyed watching the deer, birds, and squirrels play and walked up to 2 miles several times a week. He died at home on June 19, 2009, surrounded by family. He was well loved and will be in our hearts always. All the family remembers trips to White Sands National Monument where dad would pull them behind his car through the sand dunes on a metal disc shaped sled which resulted in numerous sore behinds. CHILDREN:David: I remember Dad and I eating very smelly pickled herring with grandpa Berard in France. Being pulled behind the car on a saucer at the sand dunes at White Sands National Monument. Going on long three day cross-country trips in the 57 Chevy. Pop riding in the back of the 66 Chevy station wagon with the tail gate down to make sure the beer keg didn't fall out of the car when mom drove home to El Paso, Texas from Cloud Croft, New Mexico. Sitting on dad's lap driving the car in the desert in El Paso. Dad having us do “police call” of the yard before he would get home and him always finding one piece of trash that was missed ( I think he used to put it there), then saying we didn't clean up the yard. Dad not being very patient in teaching me to work on stuff (that changed for the younger ones). However, I did get good at picking out the right tool to hand him. Dad's TDY trip to Ethiopia being extended when I left to college so he was not there. Us always having to leave the dog behind when we moved. Dad said it was the dog or one of my brothers but he never took my recommendation. Dad traveling the world to exotic places and knowing a lot of stuff about everything (it increased my love for travel and discovery). Him being fearless and always doing what he wanted and /or thought was right regardless of “what others might think”. Dad was a wonderful grandfather to all his grand kids and great grand kids. Dad could walk into a store in a new town and twenty minutes later he seemed to have five new friends. When we would go to the grocery store dad would always want to look at the meat department and the different types of meats there.Gerald: I remember dad would sometimes let me steer the 57 Chevy while he was pulling my siblings on the metal disc sled through the desert behind the house in El Paso Texas. I also remember numerous trips to Cloudcroft New Mexico for picnics with dad's co-workers and also trips to Odessa Texas to visit relatives. Sometimes when dad would return home from work at Elephant's Butte New Mexico he would bring rattlesnake rattles and tell us about how they would try to get into the jeep with him and how he killed them. After moving to New Jersey we would take trips to North Carolina to visit relatives. During the trips to Cloudcroft N.M., Odessa, TX, and North Carolina I would sit in the back seat and watch him drive helping him navigate to where we were going. Dad would also wake us older kids get up early (6:00 a.m.) on weekends to help him work around the house. My fondest memories of dad were in my adult years when we spent time hunting and walking around the ranches. I also remember watching and helping dad build a Grandfather Clock from a kit he ordered which I now have as he and mom gave it to me about five years ago. Two of dad's sayings that I remember the most are “When you do something, do it right the first time or don't do it at all” and “Never start a fight, just make sure you finish it”. During the times he would say the first one to me I would not always take him seriously and then he would say “If I knew you weren't going to do it right I would have done it myself”. I have used those same phrases with my two sons. Michel: The memories I have are too numerous to recount, but I always knew that whether I was good or bad, Dad was in my corner. He and mom raised us with discipline and a lot of love. That is what I remember most.Wayne: Pop loved to go fishing and the earlier the start the better. I remember watching the sun rise from back seat of the car with the boat in tow.I learned how to work on cars and hammer nails from dad. When he built a 27 inch Heathkit TV I learned about transistors, diodes, tubes, etc, all the stuff he worked with in his career. Dad could fix anything so I learned to never be afraid to try to fix things.Dad always told us not to “sass” mom. We could “sass” him and maybe get away with it, but if we “sassed” mom he would take us out.Natalie: When I was little I would stand behind dad, who was sitting in his chair, and he would let me play with his beautiful curly brown hair combing it and putting barrettes in it. I also remember falling asleep on my favorite pillow, which was daddy's tummy. After dad had built the Heathkit 27 inch Color TV I would help him tune it by sitting and looking at the colored dots while he adjusted the controls on the back of the TV. Eventually he would get frustrated with me and tell me I was doing it wrong so he would send me away and prop the big mirror up on the couch so he could see the dots himself and do it right. Dad also taught me how to change the oil, fluids, belts, tires and brakes on a car. Dad then taught me to drive using his Chevy Chevette, which was a four speed manual transmission. He then taught me how to drive in the snow by taking me to the mall at night when it was closed and had me do doughnuts.Over the last few years, Dad used a cane, or “walking stick” as he called it. He had it set so that it made a metallic click when he walked or tapped it on the floor. We could always tell when he was coming as we heard him tapping along, or waiting impatiently and tapping it on the floor. Mom, Dad, and I would all say “tip tap, tip tap… here he comes” about his cane. DAUGHTERS IN LAW:Janna (Wayne): Gene and I had an interesting relationship. He was six months older than my grand father when Wayne and I got married so I didn't know what to call him. I ended up with “Gene” because that is what Andi called him. The last few years we had a pretty contentious relationship because Wayne would be helping out with something at the house and need help. Of course Gene would want to help but couldn't, so I would and that frustrated him. In his last days Gene was so funny because he decided that his frustrations with being ill could come out in some creative language and I got two “This is bullshit” exclamations from him. Then, one of the last things he said was to me, and it was “Aw hell” as I walked through his room. I loved him and always will.Di (Michel): Gene really enjoyed a good meal. You always knew when he really liked your cooking because once he sat down to eat it we wouldn't hear a word out of him except for a few “yummy” sounds. I always enjoy reading the paper first thing in the morning, so when Gene would come to visit I would meet him at the table and open my newspaper and try to read it while saying “uh-huh” and “nope” to his chatter while really only half listening. Hopefully, he didn't know I wasn't really listening.Olga (David): I met Gene just several years ago while traveling with David to introduce little Matthais (Matt) to his grandparents. Gene met us with open arms and during his and all our following visits he was so nice to us, always asking about my parents and sending his regards, asking details of our trip, complementing us, etc. I always had a feeling that I had known him and Andi for a hundred years and was so very comfortable in his company even if, due to the difference in languages, I did not understand everything he was telling me – pieces of his life’s story. Once, one morning, he asked “Did you sleep well, honey?” and I got confused to whom he is talking. I think he was the first person to address me so nicely…I don’t think my Dad even ask me things in this manner even if he loves me a lot. I think he had a special place for everyone in his loving heart. Thank you for that dear Gene!I also remember how Gene played with Matt…once Matt was running and hiding from Gene saying, “Catch me grandpa”. Gene was trying to move as fast as he could to get him. It looked like they both enjoyed the game. I regret I did not have a chance to try Gene’s famous chicken BBQ and we came a little too late this time… Grandchildren:Diana (David): I learned the following lessons from grandpa.Never close the veggie drawer in the fridge with your feet. Never grab inside that ice box for ice with dirty hands. Never stick your finger in the fishing pole grommet you might get your finger chopped off “like his”.Gerald (Gerald): My best memory of grandpa is of fishing. We went to Lake LBJ and fished behind the dam. I caught an alligator gar about two to three feet long and took a while to pull it in. Grandpa had me use pliers to hold it up and he took a picture. That was one of the best fishing trips I have had.Tim (Gerald): Grandpa taught me that using hot dogs and shrimp are good fishing bait.Shelby (Wayne): One of my fondest memories of grandpa is from a while back. I don't remember how old I was, but it was probably pretty young, say about 8-10 years old. I was in grandma and grandpa's backyard when they still lived in Burnett, and one thing led to another and somehow I found myself in a fire ant pile. Suddenly I am screaming bloody murder, and probably dancing around uselessly in the fire ants, and grandpa comes outside, picks me up, brings me inside and starts beating the fire ants out of my pants and shoes.Although most of my recent memories are of him being old, just tap-tapping away with his cane, I really enjoy the memories of grandpa swooping me up out of the fire ants and saving me. Jordan (Michel): I remember my grandpa telling me stories of when he was a young man working on a farm and how much harder work was then compared to now. Also his war stories when he was in World War 2 and him putting up telephone wires.Tanner (Wayne): My favorite memories of GrandPa were at the ranch, when GrandMa and GrandPa would always arrive about an hour earlier than my dad and I. I would set my stuff down, give GrandMa a hug and go and sit next to GrandPa. We would shake hands and he would always say, "Wow! You're getting stronger!". Then I'd ask him to tell one of his stories from his childhood. I always loved the stories and would listen to them all the way through. And then I would go outside to do some work and a moment later, GrandPa would be up on his feet and trenching away or whatever we would be working on. The best part of the day would be at night when he would be telling me another story, and he would pause and be snoring. Good times! I'll miss you GrandPa, you were the best story teller! Jamie (Michel): I would love to watch TV with grandpa, but after about ten minutes when he would catch some Z's and snore you to death and then you could usually leave. Also, every time I would see my grandpa he would always say you are growing like a tree, but I think he was just trying to be nice because my brother was the only one growing and I wasn't. Grandpa always told me to take off my hat in the house. He also made me take small bites as a youngster. Grandpa and I would talk for hours about how he was always working on the farm at 7 years old and how different life is now compared to how it used to be. I remember one time I was going on a trail at my grandparents house and I twisted my ankle and so I got grandpa's walker and grandpa and I were both using his walker.Other Family:Sister – Zouline: Remembers when they were young and Eugene came to the aid of Harney Jr. who was in trouble with the school principal. The principal wanted to whip Harney for a fight in the old Linden school and when Eugene stood up to him, the principal backed down. Another time, a few yeas later, Eugene bought a motorcycle (an Indian), without knowing how to ride. After a few beers, he got on for a ride, went down the road and forgot to put his feet down at a stop light and he and the bike fell over. The police were behind him and he had to call his sister Isabelle to come and get him.“Gene-isms”: Dad had some sayings or verbal glitches that we always laughed about. These are a small sampling of what we can remember:Enroaching – instead of encroachingChimbley – instead of chimneyWinders – for windowsYeller – for yellow Doby – for Toby, our Australian Cattle Dog (his other favorite dog was Buddy, our (Michel's) Doberman from years ago. Flusterated – combination of flustered and frustrated.. .never sure which one he meant.I'm Agrealable - I'm Agreeable