Dick Lee

August 31, 1920 - April 4, 2011

Born just outside Birmingham, Alabama, was a young boy with great ambition. Silas Walker Lee, Jr., better known as Dick Lee was a Legend in his own time.

Dick grew up in Manatee County and graduated from Manatee High School in 1939. Eager to accept the challenge of President Roosevelt, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Dick's eyesight caused him to be medically discharged. Adamantly wanting to serve his country, he became employed at the Henry Ford's "Willow Run" Aviation Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Early on he became the Plant's Division foreman. His tenacity and leadership greatly impressed both his elderly underlings and Henry Ford, who ultimately promoted Dick to head inspector of the Plant. Pilots housed on sight fought over the prize "Lee" inspected planes.

The B-24 aircraft were fig~ting machines, giving Dick great honor in contributing to WWII.

Dick and his family moved in 1944 back to Florida and opened up a fishing lodge in Lake Panasofkee. Shortly thereafter he enrolled in the University of Florida and began his journey as a Gator, followed by Cumberland Law School in Lebanon, Tennessee. Two life-long, deep strengths of Dick's saw their germination during these years: his Christian faith and his love of the University of Florida. Baptized in a river in Tennessee while warm friendships with notable Gainesville football coaches highlighted the latter. Both served as unwavering pillars throughout his adult life, and were shared convictions with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dick's legal career expanded over 50 years of practice and was respected as it was expansive.

He mastered the myriad of services, many attorneys now specialize in, providing his clients with his unique professional insight and keen navigation skills throughout all types of law and courtrooms. He was especially proud of pushing the envelope and successfully gaining the first bond issue for the beginning of Sarasota Memorial's expansion. Look what the community has today, a Regional-Healthcare system allocated as one of the top 50 hospitals in the Nation.

As Dick's law practice excelled by reputation, young lawyers sought out to work for him. The "Dick Lee Law School Experience," of tough procedural and courtroom drama has impacted the careers of many successful attorneys serving our community today.

Dick loved life and loved his community. The Sarasota community has benefited from his talent in unique ways. His counseling contributed to political leaders, law enforcement, young and professional athletes, coaches, clients, friends and family. His loyalty was unmatchable.

He coached the Coast Federal Little League baseball team for 18 years. Countless young players not only learned how to swing a bat, man a base, slide to home plate and catch pop flies with the sun in their eyes, they joined his team as a boy and left as a young man. They also learned the value of practice, the meaning of teamwork, the downsides of distractions, the rewards of hard work, the problems with settling and most importantly they learned to know their mettle; to understand what they were made of - and how that simple gift would serve them, when all else might fail throughout their lives. The time he spent coaching these young men were among Dick's most prized experiences.

Dick knew who he was. He knew just what he was made of; recognized what he was capable of and put that knowledge to impressive use. He enjoyed sharing his insight with young players and new lawyers, empowering both patience and high standards in his desire to empower others to enjoy life on their own terms.

Dick lived a wonderful life, full of successes, accolades, respect and notoriety. He balanced professional successes with an unshakable loyalty to his friends and his family. He was at home on a horse or raising cattle on his Myakka cattle ranch as he was adept in the courtroom. Dick will be remembered by his family for his way of life, embracing it all and sharing it with them. He will always be their Daddy, their Granddaddy, their John Wayne, their Clint Eastwood, their Hero.

Dick was predeceased by his parents Silas Walker Lee and Bessie Mae Hyde Lee, and grandson, Christopher Lee, and is survived by his wife, Marilynn; sons, Jeff Walker, Richard Tracy, and Jon Raymond; daughter, Catherine Lee Neubauer; son-in-law Jason Neubauer; daughter-in-law Laurie Lee; grandchildren, Shannon Lopez, Kelley Bowman, Jonathan Lee, David Lee, Tucker Lee Neubauer, Jon "Bubba" Neubauer, Emilynn Lee; great grandchildren, Victoria Lopez and Tyler Lopez; Brothers -in-law, Pete and Tom Brown and sister-in-law, Jackie Dickson.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sarasota County Youth Baseball, c/o Dick Lee Memorial Fund, Post Office Box 51873, Sarasota, FL 34232.

Services will be held Saturday, April 9, 2011, at First Baptist Church, 1661 Main Street, Sarasota, FL at 10:00am.

Arrangements under the direction of Palms - Robarts Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Sarasota, FL.