Denver E. Lee, 96, passed away at his home Friday, November 27, 2015.
Born March 22, 1919 in rural Bryan, he was the second of five sons of John and Edna (Priest) Lee. He was a 1938 graduate of Montpelier High School. May 11, 1947 he married Thelma Allman who preceded him in death in 2011.
He entered the army November 1941. A veteran of Co B 127th Red Arrow Infantry Division he received the Purple Heart from injuries sustained on the Ville Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippines Islands March, 1945. He had more than three years of foreign service, involving campaigns of Southern Philippines, Luzon, New Guinea and Papuan. Post war he attended and hosted Co. B reunions. He participated in the Honor Flight in 2011 and received the Bronze Star in a ceremony for Williams County WW2 veterans in 2014.
He took agriculture courses through the OSU extension on the GI Bill and became a dairy farmer. He later worked with several plumbing contractors before starting his own business, Denver Lee Plumbing and Heating, in 1966.
A member of West Bethesda Presbyterian Church since 1936 he served as an elder, Sunday school teacher and youth leader. He was a 25 year advisor of Superior Farmers 4-H club and member of Williams County 4-H Advisory Council. He was a 41 year member, past president and Paul Harris Fellow with Montpelier Rotary. He was past president of Montpelier Athletic Boosters and Montpelier United Way in 1971. He was a member of American Legion Post 284, Bryan VFW and a member of Williams County Farm Bureau. With his wife he volunteered several winters during retirement to Heifer Project ranch in Arkansas and to Church Women United in Bryan. In the community he is also remembered for presentations at schools for Williams County WWII Education Project and his restored antique cars that he drove in parades, to cruise-ins and car shows. For a number of years he organized the antique car participation for Montpelier Bean Days parade.
He is survived by one son, Roger (Sara David) Angola, IN and daughter, Patricia (Robert) Hofbauer, Montpelier, two grand-daughters, Katrina (Stephen) Kroha, Lake Placid, NY and Corey (Dennis) Hargrove, Pulaski, TN. He was American grandfather to exchange students Sari Lehtinen, Finland and Simone Moreira, Brazil.
In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by brothers George, Loyal, Marion and Howard, a nephew and two nieces.
Thompson Funeral home, Montpelier is in charge of arrangements. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, December 4th from 3-8pm at the Thompson Funeral Home on Main Street in Montpelier. Gravesite military rites and services will proceed from Thompson Funeral Home, Montpelier at 9:30 on Saturday to Riverside cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 11am at West Bethesda Presbyterian Church, CR 12 & I with Rev. Tawee Layraman, West Bethesda Presbyterian Church officiating. Memorials may be given to West Bethesda or to the Williams County 4-H Foundation. Online condolences can be left for the family atwww.thethompsonfuneralhome.com.