Maurice Lee

Maurice H. Lee, 87, died Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center.

He was born May 25, 1921 in Franklin County near Williamsburg, KS, the son of Maurice H. and Gertrude (Yockey) Lee. He was a 1940 graduate of Quenemo High School.

Early in 1941 he moved with his parents to the Pacific Northwest. He joined the Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers Union Local #29 in Portland, OR in Sept. 1941.

Maurice married Marita Brewer of Lyndon, KS, August 28, 1941 in Walla Walla, WA. After being called to active duty in WWII , he served in the 534th Amphibian Engineer Brigade attached to the 6th Army. He served two years in the South Pacific participating in eight invasions from New Guinea to the Philippines. When the war ended he served with the occupation troops in Nagoya, Japan until replacement troops arrived. He received the Bronze Service Arrowhead Cir 465 WD 44 Pacific Theater, American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and Good Conduct Medal. After returning home, he worked as a Journeyman Ironworker for over 35 years.

Maurice and Marita traveled throughout the lower 48 states and Canada on many fun trips hunting, fishing, researching family history, camping, visiting friends and family.

Maurice was the oldest living member of Ironworkers Local #10 in Kansas City, MO. He was a life member of the VFW and a member of McKinley Masonic Lodge #41 AF&AM Pomona, KS. He was a member of Countryside Methodist Church, Topeka.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by an infant brother, Charles Richard Lee. He was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Merlin Brewer, brother-in-law, Derald Brewer, and sister-in-law, Laverta (Brewer) Walter.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marita; daughter, Connie Diamond (Lloyd); son, Richard A. Lee (Kelly) all of Topeka; 5 grandchildren: Daniel Diamond (Geneva) of Lawrence, KS; David Diamond (Lauri) of Columbus, NE; Krista Lee of Reno, NV; Karla Lee-Rickard (Lee) and Samantha Lee both of Topeka; 2 great-grandchildren, Eric and Melissa Diamond of Columbus, NE.

Maurice was blessed to be surrounded by his loving family the last weeks of his life. He was a good man who was much loved and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Lee will lie in state from 3:00-5:00 p.m., Mon., Sept. 1 at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tues. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Lyndon Cemetery, Lyndon, KS. Military Honors will be provided by Ft. Riley Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 NW Rochester Rd., Topeka, KS 66617 or Disabled American Veterans, VAMC Bldg. #24, Room 106G, P.O. Box 67684, Topeka, KS 66607.