Donald R. Lee Obituary October 14, 2018 - LeRette Funeral Chapel Inc

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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Donald R.

Lee

March 24, 1925 – October 14, 2018

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Obituary

Birthplace: Mystic, Iowa Resided In: Red Oak formerly Emerson Donald Ralph Lee, age 93, of Red Oak, Iowa, formerly of Emerson, Iowa, passed away Sunday, October 14, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society. Don was born March 24, 1925 in Mystic, Iowa, the son of Ralph and Sylvia (Browning) Lee. He was raised in Seymour, Iowa and graduated from Seymour High School in the class of 1943. He then entered the United States Navy serving during WWII upon the battleship USS Colorado. He received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during a kamikaze attack while in the Philippines. Upon his return from the war, Donald attended college in Centerville, Iowa and graduated with a teaching degree from Iowa State Teachers College. He later earned his Master Degree from University of Nebraska at Omaha. Don was united in marriage to Charlotte Phillips on January 6, 1951 in Unionville, Missouri. Don's career took him to many different schools including Sewal, Ellston, Cromwell, Wales-Lincoln, and Tri Center before moving to Nishna Valley in 1973 as principal and athletic director. He taught and coached for many years retiring in 1987. His coaching career was filled with many championship teams including an undefeated basketball team while teaching at Wales-Lincoln. He also had championship teams while teaching at Neola-Tri-Center. Don was very involved in his community where he was a life member of both the American Legion and the DAV and served on the Emerson City Council. Don's hobbies included fishing, golfing, and visiting with friends. He was a longtime member of the Red Oak Country Club. Preceding him in death were his parents; son: Donald Craig Lee; sisters: Marjorie Vickroy, Frances Bauer, Ramona Baxter, and Corrine Gitchell; brother: Ronald Gitchell; and brother-in-law: Max Bauer. Survivors include his wife: Charlotte Lee of Red Oak, IA; daughter: Connie Bowen of Emerson, IA; son: Michael Lee of Glenwood, IA; grandchildren: Joshua Bowen and wife Laura of Imogene, IA; Nathan Bowen and wife Bailey of Hastings, IA; Bryan Bowen and wife Kylie of Red Oak, IA; Craig Lee and fiancé Cyndy Ingraham of Omaha, NE; and Heather Brown of Clarinda, IA; great grandchildren: Molly and Emma Bowen; Zane Bowen; and Payton and Devin Brown; brother: Frank Gitchell of Rockford, IL; and many other relatives and friends. A celebration of life service will be held 10 AM Friday, October 19, 2018 at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel. Burial of the cremated remains will take place in the Emerson, Iowa Cemetery. Visitation with family will be held from 6-8 PM Thursday, October 18, 2018 at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel. Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation:
Date: 10/18/2018 Time: 6-8 PM Comments: Family will be present during visitation.	Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel 410 N 6th Street Red Oak, IA Get a Map Driving Directions
Service:
Date: 10/19/2018 Time: 10 AM Comments:	Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel 410 N. 6th Street Red Oak, IA Get a Map Driving Directions
Burial:
Date: 10/19/2018 Time: Following services Comments:	Emerson Cemetery US Hwy 59 and US Hwy 34 Emerson, IA Get a Map Driving Directions

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