Eugene Orson Lee

88, of Seminole, FL, formerly of St. Petersburg, FL, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Sunday, December 19, 2010. He was the last surviving sibling of three brothers and one sister. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Ja’net D. Lee, his daughter Carol Maples, Madeira Beach, FL and son Eugene O. Lee, Jr. (Kim), Valrico, FL; 5 grandchildren, Russell Zitzelberg (Clover), Erin Kuhnsman (Michael), Jordan Stewart (Dawn), Michelle Lee (Zach), Kathryn Holler (John) and 6 great-grandchildren.

Born in Covington, Georgia, he attended the University of Florida on a football scholarship. While there he also excelled at basketball. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and graduated with a BA in Education in 1943. After graduation he proudly served in the Army Air Corp in World War II as a B17 pilot flying with an air/sea rescue squadron in the Pacific Theatre. After the war he played professional football with the Boston Yanks.

On December 28, 1946 he married Ja’net Dempsey in Atlanta and moved to Elberton, Georgia where he owned and operated a wholesale grocery business. In 1962 he sold the business and moved his family to St. Petersburg. He was President and co-owner of W.H. Reynolds Distributor, Inc. in Tampa until he retired in 1984. He was a former member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club and Seminole Lakes Country Club. Prior to his illness he was an avid golfer, enjoyed traveling, boating and watching his beloved Florida Gators. He was a member of Pasadena Community Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held 2 pm Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at Moss-Feaster Funereal Home, Serenity Gardens Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Suncoast Hospice.

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