Mr. Leonard W. Lee

On Sunday, May 11, 2014, Leonard Wendell Lee, 79, departed this life at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence, Kalamazoo, MI. Born September 7, 1934, to the late Arnold W. Lee and Alberta Grace Edwards Lee in Snow Hill, AL. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Elizabeth Willis Lee, Kalamazoo, MI; son Wendell (Stephanie) Lee, Grand Rapids, MI and granddaughter Nicole Jones, Clarkston, MI. Additionally, he is survived by his siblings; A. Clifton (Nancy) Lee, Brooklyn, NY, William (Susan) Lee, Brooklyn, NY, A. Grace Lee Mims, Cleveland, OH; brothers-in-law Thomas (Marilyn) Willis, Knightdale, NC, Alden Willis, Poughkeepsie, NY, Mervin (Patricia) Willis, Poughkeepsie, NY, and sister-in-law Frances Strother. He was preceded in death by brothers Clarence Lee, Arnold W. Lee, Jr.; sister Consuela Lee Moorehead, cousins, Dr. Robert Stone and Dr. Charles McMillan brothers-in-law Dr. Howard Mims and Rev. Rufus Strother, sisters-in-law Jackie and Margaret Lee; grandson Kyle Keenan, nephew Christopher Lee and niece Debra Willis Hall. Leonard received his Bachelor’s Degree from Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA and Master’s Degree from New York University, New York, NY. He and Gloria were married June 24, 1961, after graduation from NYU and they moved to Schenectady, NY. His place of employment was Sunnyview Hospital. His home church was St. Paul/St. Peter AME church in Snow Hill, AL. They became members of Friendship Baptist Church, Schenectady, NY, where he was baptized. As newlyweds, this was a great setting. Especially instrumental in their adjustment were Dr. Jesse T. Henderson, Jr. and his wife, Mary. Leonard served in the U.S. Army where he worked in the Army Medical Research Lab, Fort Knox, KY. In Schenectady, NY, he was Director of the Vocational Rehabilitation Center at Sunnyview Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. He relocated to Kalamazoo, MI where he was Director at Michigan Career and Technical Institute (formerly State Technical Institute and Rehabilitation Center), Plainwell, MI from which he retired in 1995 after 20 years. A devoted family man, Leonard was dearly loved by many. He lived his life by the mantra of his late grandfather, W. J. Edwards; “Deeds Not Words.” His pride and dedication to family and friends allowed him to touch the lives of countless others. He was instrumental in organizing/promoting the DOMAP (Descendants of Mike and Phoebe) bi-annual family reunion. Leonard was a proud Morehouse College alumnus and made frequent visits to his alma mater for football games and other alumni functions. He was an avid reader and subscribed to numerous magazines and newspapers. He enjoyed gardening and found working in the soil very therapeutic. He loved sports and when his days of participating in them were over, he would watch them on TV and discuss them with family and friends. Leonard was an ardent traditional jazz music fan. He enjoyed attending concerts wherever he could find “good music” and would often travel to Chicago for jazz festivals. Leonard mentored young people in the NAACP ACTSO program with committee members Cal Street and Bertha McNeal for a number of years. He also served as Treasurer for Mrs. Gloria Lett’s school board campaign. The memories of Mr. Leonard W. Lee are cherished by his family mentioned above along with nieces and nephews; Monica Moorehead, Cameron (Carmen) Moorehead, Shelton “Spike” (Tonya) Lee, Joie Lee, David Lee, Cinque’ Lee, Arnold Tone Kaplan-Lee, Malcolm (Cami) Lee, Kenyatta Lee, Yolanda (Rodney) Jones, Marcia (Jimmie) Gross, Andrea (Jerome) Booker, Dwayne (Karen) Willis, Kimberly Willis, Kenya (Morris) Horton, Oronde Lacy; cousins Augusta Grubb, Donald P. Stone, Wendell (Sandra) Edwards, Dierdre (Lee) Jackson and Laura Strother, along with special family friends Hoyt, Margaret, Charz and Quiznn Fraisier.

Mr. Leonard W. Lee

September 7, 1934 - May 11, 2014