March 13, 1944 - December 23, 2024
Funeral service for Gerry Lee will be Friday, December 27, 2024 at 2:00 pm in Anderson-Burris Chapel. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory.
Gerry Raymond Lee was born on March 13, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Smithy LeMoyne and Elizabeth Dean Lee, and passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on December 23, 2024. Gerry was raised in the Oklahoma areas of Kremlin, North Enid, Okeene, and Homestead, and graduated from Okeene High School in 1962. He met his future wife, B Louise Hoover, during the time he attended Enid Business College, and married her on May 7, 1965. Their marriage produced four children who loved him dearly: Brenda Louise Lee Luskey, Jeffrey Wayne Lee, Kerri Marie Lee Abbott, and Sherri Rae Lee Best. He was preceded in death by his parents and only elder brother, Jackie Dean Lee. Gerry is survived by his loving wife of the home, Louise, his children--Brenda and her husband, Ed; Jeff and his wife, Lori; Kerri and her husband, Jeff; and Sherri and her husband, Tommy—twelve grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters, Tanya Rowe and Bessie Dungan.
Gerry was a true entrepreneur. His first jobs included working with his dad rebuilding cars and welding while attending Enid Business College. (“Attended” is a euphemism for skipping classes after attendance was taken to play snooker at the local pool hall for money.) His dad told him there was money to be made working rural water lines, so he purchased a new backhoe which sat in his new home’s garage for six months (much to his wife’s chagrin). He then opened Lee’s Backhoe and Digging Service, followed by Lee’s Plumbing, Lee’s Heat and Air, and Lee’s Sprinklers. (His desire was to have a business to give to each of his children, but his daughters pursued other vocations while Jeff blazed along the entrepreneurial trail.) He later purchased Northwest Overhead Door Company, bred an amazing line of English setters from dam Mr. Thor’s Sadie, owned several rental properties, and became a gunsmith.
Gerry was a third-degree black belt in Okinawan Goju-ryu and was a proud sensei for many years. After attempting retirement, he opened Enid’s Mini Mall antique store which remained family-run for nineteen years, and subsequently became a security guard for a nearby windfarm. On his property west of Enid, Gerry also raised Boer goats. (Retirement was clearly not for him.)
Gerry’s most treasured accomplishment was his family. He loved camping, fishing, and traveling with them when he was able, and later just spending time with them. His words remain in his children’s ears: “Find out what you’re good at and stick with it,” “You’re not going to learn any younger,” and “Your car runs better on its top half than you run on your bottom half.” These are words everyone should live by.
The family wishes to thank the amazing staff at Greenbrier Village for the compassionate care given to Gerry when he needed it most.
Memorials may be made through Anderson-Burris to Youth and Family Services.
Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-2700.
