Lee Marvin Folkes

Lee Marvin Folkes, a life-long San Antonioian passed away after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. A graduate from Churchill High School and the University of Texas, Austin, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and developed many lifelong friendships. It was in Austin where Lee met the love of his life, Anne Stuart Boyce Folkes on a blind date. Whenever anyone asked Lee if it was “love at first sight”, he would always respond that it was for him but for Anne, not quite… It took a while for her to come around. They married 1984 in Amarillo and thus began a love affair that lasted until Lee’s death, some 41.5 years.

After their marriage, Lee and Anne welcomed two of the most remarkable people into their lives, Anne “Stuart” Folkes and Leland Palmer “Land” Folkes. During their formative years, Lee could usually be found at Alamo Heights ball fields coaching baseball and softball. Nothing made him happier than coaching those teams and forming lifelong relationships with many of the kids and parents. He was more than a coach; he was their biggest cheerleader! He would always get a chuckle when out at restaurants, the grocery store, or church when one of his former players would greet him as “Coach Folkes!”

Lee spent the largest portion of his professional career in the wholesale wine industry as a broker where he represented wineries from all over the world making friends in each country. His proudest professional achievement was creating the brand “Finders Keepers” where he had a four-year exclusive with HEB and gained distribution in fifteen states outside of Texas.

A member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon for five terms, Town Club, Lamp Lighters, and Club Giraud: also serving on the board of directors of Big Brothers and Sisters, Christian Assistance Ministries, and Mission Road Ministries.

Preceded in death by his father James Richard Folkes, stepfather Thomas Patterson, and beloved brother Jeff Folkes- who together, will be cheering on the Texas Longhorns and the cure for pancreatic cancer.

Lee is survived by his beloved wife Anne, children Stuart and Land, matriarch to the Folkes clan Karen Palmer Foster (Ben), brother Brett Folkes (Lola), sister Jennifer Folkes Knapp (Walter), Kim Stoker Folkes, brother-in-law Dryden Boyce (Alison), along with niece Haley Folkes McClintic (Andy) and nephews Ryan Folkes (Susie), Travis Folkes, Jackson Knapp, Patrick and Parker Boyce. In-laws Anne and Jim Boyce.

The family would like to pay special thanks to doctors, Bradley Kayser, Steven Abatte, Ron Drengler and their teams; River City Hospice, and JC Nursing Specialists. Most especially grateful to Nati Arci.

Above all else, Lee’s greatest accomplishment was the relationship and faith he developed with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That faith was never more apparent than in the final months of his fight with cancer. He believed as Roberto Clemente once said, “Anytime you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth" –

To honor Lee, blue and green were his favorite colors!

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 2:00 pm, at First Presbyterian Church, 404 North Alamo Street.

Please make all donations and life tributes in Lee’s name to: Mission Road Ministries or 1st Presbyterian Church, San Antonio.

For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed. A link can be found below.