Arlington Leroy Lee Hartless

Arlington Leroy ""Lee"" Hartless, a kind and gentle soul, was born August 2, 1929 to Marion and Myrtle Hartless in Pelly, TX. Lee left this earth on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 8:08 p.m. to join his best friend and beloved son James Lee Hartless in the kingdom of Heaven. Lee left this world at his home in Lake Jackson, TX, with his wife of almost 59 years and daughter Melissa at his side.

Lee received his public education in Pelly and Goose Creek at Anson Jones Elementary, Horace Mann Junior High, and Robert E. Lee High School. After graduation in 1948, he joined the United States Air Force and served at Elgin Air Force in Florida and Eniwetok in the South Pacific during the testing of the atomic bombs.

Rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant, Lee was discharged in 1952. He then attended Lee College, where he met his wife Shirley Massey. He attended Lee College for one year, then transferred to The University of Texas at Austin. In 1956, he and Shirley moved to the Brazosport area where he went to work for the Ethyl-Dow Chemical Company. Upon the closing of the Ethyl-Dow, he transferred to Dow Chemical, from where he retired in November 1992.

Lee is known for his works with the Boy Scouts, teaching many boys the art of campfire cooking. He was a member of the Lake Jackson Masonic Lodge and the Houston Scottish Rite.

One of his favorite retirement activities was working in Guest Services in Yellowstone National Park until stricken with Multiple Myeloma in January 2008.

Lee was preceded in death by his son, James Lee Hartless; parents, Marion and Myrtle Hartless; and parents-in-law, James and Amesses Massey. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Melissa and husband, Art Jansen; and grandchildren, Jessica and namesake Arthur Lee Jansen.

Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. at the Alexander Chapel of the Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church, 2714 Ferry Rd., Baytown, TX 77520 on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 with services to follow at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Cedarcrest Cemetery. In celebration of Lee's life, those in attendance are encouraged to wear red, Lee's favorite color.

Serving as pallbearers will be Art Jansen, Artie Jansen, Jimmy Epperson, Carl Dennis Ferguson, Joe Chandler, and Leon Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Blant Ferguson, Jesse Tooke, George Chandler, Gerald Epperson, and Carl W. Ferguson.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.