Lee Roy Frank Gaines

Lee Roy Frank Gaines left this existence early in the morning of January 8, 2023, peacefully in his sleep. He was born in Stormville, New York on November 26, 1932. He was raised by his mother, Sarah Gaines alongside his siblings, Anna Gaines Davis and William Gaines, all of whom predeceased him. Lee worked as an officer at the Green Haven Correctional Facility before serving his country during the Korean War. After his military service, he enrolled at Howard University. Upon graduation, he returned to New York where he became a teacher at Wiltwycks School for Boys. He subsequently joined IBM and relocated to Lansing, Michigan as a branch manager, eventually retiring from IBM at age 55. Lee was a private man with a small circle of friends and a strong moral code that he did not break. He stayed active, mowing the lawn, snow blowing and even helping the neighbors split wood well into his 80s. Lee liked to play the market and was an active trader until his final months. To his friends he was steadfastly there and you never had to ask twice, nor worry if he would follow through. He was a mentor at heart. He was delighted to share his wisdom, whether it be to fellow IBM employees or several neighborhood youths over the years. Lee did things his way and wouldn’t be convinced otherwise, right up to the last couple of weeks of his life. He accepted the rapid change and indignities of his final days with grace and determination. He is survived by his first cousins Barbara (Robert) Dixon of Florida, Gail Gaines of New York and close friends Jasper Baldwin and Mark Ledebuhr.

Services will be on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 10:30 am at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home located 900 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan.