GROVER "SKIPPER" CLEVELAND LEE III, 67, lovingly
called “Skipper” by his family, went to be with the
Lord on Aug. 4, 2007. He passed away from pneumonia
at Veterans Hospital in Houston. His family was at
his bedside where his passing was quiet and peaceful.
Burial was at Mount Marion Cemetery in Strawn, TX.
Skipper was born to Grover Cleveland Lee, Jr. and
Juanita Marie Guthrie Lee on April 2, 1939 at the
Strawn Hospital. He attended Ranger High School in
the Class of 1958 at Ranger, TX. Of course, his
family couldn’t have been prouder...a boy...another
Grover! He was the oldest of 8 children...he had
two brothers, Garrett Stewart Lee and Cleveland S.
Lee...and five sister...Audrey D’Anne Lee Yarletts
(RHS-1958), Glenda Sue Lee Moses (RHS-1960), Juanita
Marie “Tammy” Lee, Judy Rose Lee, & Audrey Lisa Lee.
Much of his younger years were spent in Texas and
Oklahoma. Skipper attended Ranger High School in the
Class of 1958. He was born into a “newspaper” family
and was very proud of his heritage. As a little boy,
he worked side by side with his dad, Grover Jr., at
their family owned and operated newspaper, “The Strawn
Tribune.” He lovingly recalled how much he loved
his Dad and memories of following behind him, trying
as best he could to keep up with his Daddy’s long
legs and big steps. He was proud to be Grover Cleveland
Lee, III…namesake of his beloved Grandfather and Father.
Skipper served in the United States Navy from 1957 to
1961, when he was honorably discharged. He had a deep
and abiding love for his country and a great respect
for the U.S. Military. Skipper married the late
Mary Louise Bryant in November of 1963 in California.
He was the proud father of two beautiful children. His
oldest son Gregory Guthrie Lee was born on January 15,
1967, in Inglewood California. Skipper said one of the
greatest moments of his life was when his son was born.
His daughter, Susan Marie Lee was born in 1969 in
Inglewood, CA. He recently said that she was the most
beautiful baby and would always be his “little girl.”
Skipper was a very private person in his last months of
life. His health had begun to deteriorate and he had
become very reflective of his life. He talked about his
children and how much he loved them and always would. He
loved his siblings and many nieces and nephews and shared
memories during those last months. He was a very proud man
and a very intelligent one. He was a great conversationalist
and was well educated on many subjects …including religion,
politics, current affairs, to name a few. He was a Republican,
all the way! He had a memory like an “elephant.” He could
recall so many events and dates from the past with great
detail.
The greatest Book he read was the Bible. He loved Jesus
Christ deeply and knew when he passed he would enter into
Heaven and be with his Lord and Savior for the rest of
Eternity. He looked forward to “going home” where he would
finally be with those family members who went before him.
Skipper suffered many setbacks in his lifetime but he
always maintained his love for Jesus and never doubted
his salvation. He always had that security…knowing he
belonged to the Lord.
Skipper is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lee; his
grandparents, Grover and Muriel Lee; his mother, Nita;
his father and Mom, Grover and Betty Lee; his loving
Sisters, D’Anne Lee and Glenda Moses; his beloved nephew,
Buddy Williams; and his Aunt and Uncle Joe and Audrey
Stoker and cousin, Jody Stoker.
At the time of his death, Skipper was survived by his
son Greg and wife Shari; his daughter, Susie and husband,
Cory; brothers Gary and wife Gayle; Cleve Lee; sister
Tammy and husband, Dale; sister Judy Lee; sister Audrey
Vodehnal and husband Ron. Other family members include
his many nieces and nephews…Christine Molina, Craig
Yarletts, Johnny Moses, Becky Tolopka, Karen Stone,
Wesley Moses, Roberta Burg, Mark Williams, Chuck Lee,
Becky Hodges, Jason Lee, Jonathan Mikulin, Justin
Mikulin, Josh Vodehnal, Matt Vodehnal, and Stacey Keogh.
Also survived by his great-nieces and nephews: Elizabeth,
Dylan, and Travis Molina; Krystal Williams and Nicholas
Burg; Aly and Kara Williams; John Michael Moses, Tyler
and Madelyn Tolopka, Lesley, Courtney, and Bradley Moses,
Megan and Ryan Stone, Kirstin, Zachary, and Kinsey Lee,
Coby Lee, Ryan and Autumn Hodges, and Jadon Lee. Also
survived by cousins, Hillis Bass and Laura Kaiser.