SFC Earl Webster Lee, 95, of Exeter Township passed away on Monday, February 7, 2022, at Celebration Villa. Born December 17, 1926 in Savannah, GA he was a son to the late Mae Alvarine (Bacon) Lee and Hugh Webster Lee.
In addition to his parents, Sgt. Lee was greeted in heaven by his beloved wife Erminia (Frizzo) Lee, who passed away on January 30, 1984; his 2 brothers Hugh and Robert; his sister Mildred; and his grandson Garrett Jones, and his companion of 27 years Ruth Kennedy.
Sgt. Lee's spirit will be carried on by his 3 adult children Forrest Lee and his wife Kim, of Muhlenberg Township, Patricia Jones and her husband Greg, of Exeter Township, George Lee and his wife Lorraine, of El Paso, TX and brother James Lee, of Georgia. He also leaves behind 3 grandchildren Alicia, Tiffany, Jansen; 2 great grandchildren James, Ella and the families of his long time companion Colleen, Carole and Melissa to cherish his memory.
Sgt. Lee, a former native of Virginia Beach, began his career by enlisting in the Navy where he served during World War II, as a signalman. He participated in the Leyte and Luzon attacks in the Philippines, Formosa attacks, China coast attacks, attacks on Nansei-Shoto, assault on Iwo Jima, attacks on Japan Honshu and the occupation of Japan.
He returned to school after his discharge from the Navy, and studied at Norfolk Business University and William & Mary College. When the Korean War began he enlisted in the Army Airborne, and while assigned at Ft. Benning, GA., as an airborne instructor, he worked with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in the Paramount movie "Jumping Jacks," and appeared in several scenes.
He served with the 24th Infantry Division in Korea for a year and requested assignment to Japan, where he served with the 1st Cavalry Division for another year.
In 1956 he returned to the United States and re-enlisted for another overseas assignment where he served in Africa and Europe. He met his wife, Erminia, while assigned in Italy in 1957, and married in 1958. Returning to the United States in 1960, he was assigned as an Army recruiter in Kansas City, MO., and was subsequently assigned to Denver, CO., and Pittsburgh, PA.
He won numerous recruiting awards in addition to the following 10 awards: Para Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific with 3 bronze stars, Good Conduct Medal with 5 loops, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 bronze star, National Defense Service Medal, Occupation Medal (Japan), Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal. Sgt. Lee was also recently awarded the Korean Peace Medal in 2019.
Following his military career, Earl excelled in a variety of other industries and positions including insurance sales, construction, welding and retail floor management until his “final” retirement in 1993. Earl was blessed with good health during his retirement and truly enjoyed his time with family and friends.
Earl’s family would like to thank the caring staff at Celebration Villa and Holisticare along with his special friend Carol Hendel and her family for all of their love and support for Earl.
A viewing for Earl will be held Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Auman's Inc., 390 W. Neversink Rd., Reiffton, PA 19606. Prayer service will promptly commence in the funeral home at 11:30 AM, with Pamela Reed officiating. Graveside committal with military honors will immediately follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park, 391 W. Neversink Rd., Reading, PA 19606.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sgt. Lee's memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aumansinc.com for the Lee family.
