Mr. Lee, of Charlotte, passed away Thursday, December 26, 2013. He was born March 7, 1924 in Charleston, WV, son of the late Ivan Richard Lee and Pattie Keeney Lee.
Veteran of World War II. He served as Technical Sergeant in the US Army in Asiatic-Pacific Theatre and with Patton’s Third Army in the European Theatre. A member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Joined J.A. Jones Construction Company in 1946 on post-war military projects on Okinawa and on the reactivation of the Richland, Washington, Hanford Atomic Bomb plant. He also served as the Director of Personnel, Safety and Labor Relations and retired as the Vice President of Industrial Relations and Corporate Services.
In 1985, Governor James G. Martin appointed him as State Personnel Director in Raleigh, NC, which continued to March, 1993. He was named “Tarheel of The Week” by the Raleigh News and Observer and was the recipient of the Annual Award of Excellence presented by the International Personnel Management Association at Ottawa, Canada.
Dick and his wife, Jenny, were members of Christ Lutheran Church and have been patrons and supporters of Opera Carolina, Opera Guild of Charlotte, Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra, American Heart Association, Arthritis Foundation, Guild of Charlotte Artists, Junior Woman’s Club and Queen City Woman’s Club.
Dick was also a professional musician, playing saxophone and clarinet in musical organizations since 1939, including dance bands in the “Big Band” era. He became a member of the Oasis Shriners in 1960, joining the Shrine Marching Band and Stage Band and advancing to Captain. In 1988 he was named a Life Member of Oasis Temple, a Veteran Member of the Oasis Band and a Life Member of the Red Fez Shrine Club on Lake Wylie where he had served as a Board Member and President in the 1970’s.
He was a 50-year Mason and member of Temple Lodge No. 676, the Scottish Rite, and the Royal Order of Jesters Court No. 109, all in Charlotte. He was a member of the North Carolina Society of Sons of The American Revolution, First Families of Ohio, and was a Founding Director of the Providence Country Club.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanette Nordman Lee; three sons: Richard V. Lee, Jr., Thomas E. Lee and David E. Lee of Rock Hill, SC; four daughters: Marian Lee Wilson of Rock Hill, Janet Batchelor of Charlotte, Candice Lee Henry of Chattanooga, TN and Kristin Lee Moon of Crozet, VA; sixteen grandchildren: Chelsea Eichorn, Meredith, Richard III, and Austin Lee of Rock Hill; David, Jr., Michael and Jennifer Lee of Rock Hill; Christopher and Erick Lee of Rock Hill; Jeffrey and Connie Wilson of Rock Hill; Jenna Batchelor of Charlotte; Blake Norton and Eliza Henry of Chattanooga; Lucas and Ryder Moon of Crozet.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 29, 2013 from 6 to 8 pm at McEwen Pineville Chapel. The family will hold a private funeral service and interment.
Memorials may be made to Shriners Childrens Hospitals, C/O Oasis Temple.
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