Fred Arvin Lee Sr.

Fred Arvin Lee was born on October 14, 1936, in Fort Worth, Texas. He was the second of seven children born to Fred Baker Lee and Curly LaNeil (Washington) Lee. Fred accepted Christ at an early age as a Methodist.

Fred attended I.M. Terrell High School in Fort Worth, Texas, and graduated in 1955. While attending high school, Fred sought extra-curricular activities. He decided getting hit by football players was not a good fit for him. Thus, he joined the band and became an outstanding trombone player. Always responsible, he gained employment at a barber shop as a shoeshine technician. Fred shared his earnings with his family. He relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1955 where he attended LA City College. In December of 1955, Fred made the conscious decision to join the United States Air Force.

Fred successfully completed the Air Force Basic training in 1956 and was stationed in Sumpter, South Carolina. He met and married Gloria Bowman and to this union they were blessed with six children. Fred was deployed to the Tachikawa Air Force Base in Japan where two of his children were born. While deployed in Japan, Fred joined the Seventh Day Adventist Church. He was an avid student of the Word and honored the Sabbath. Fred returned to the states and was assigned to Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, California where he was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1967.

Fred and his family faithfully served at the K Street Seventh Day Adventist Church, later known as 16th Street Seventh Day Adventist Church. After Fred’s divorce, he remained faithful and became an Elder. He served in various capacities in ministry. He attained an Associate in Arts Degree from San Bernardino Valley College.

Fred met and married Rebecca Cayaso, who preceded him in death.

Fred then met and married Ruthie N. Seldon in 1992. Remaining a devout Seventh Day Adventist. He attended Sabbath Day services faithfully and would then attend services with Ruthie on Sundays.

With the encouragement and support from Ruthie, Fred returned to school and acquired his Bachelor of

Arts with a major in Behavioral Science in addition to his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from National University in 1997. Fred worked fulltime while attending college. He retired from the Seventh Day Adventist powerplant after 20 years of employment. After that retirement, he worked for the County of San Bernardino. Throughout the years, Fred worked for San Bernardino City School District and as a counselor for Advocate Schools. Fred worshipped until he was physically unable to attend in person services.

Fred was an honorable man and served the Lord with integrity. He loved his family and would always tell them, ‘I love you. Jesus loves you. Jesus is the answer.”

He leaves behind his faithfully loving wife, Ruthie, one son, Steve Anthony (wife-Maria) and four daughters, Gloria Diane McGowan (husband-Anthony), Kim Lee Smith (deceased husband – Rodney), Hope Lee Morrisey (deceased husband- Dwight), Joy Lee Johnson (husband – Craig); and bonus son, Dennis Ickom; his 11 grandchildren and 1 deceased grandchild, 3 greatgrandchildren, 3 sisters-in-law, 1 brother-in-law, nieces, nephew and a host of devoted relatives and friends. Fred was preceded in death by his parents (Fred and Curly) and six siblings (Helen, Rosemary, Floyd, Curly, Jimmy, and Arnold).