1SG E-8 Franklin King Lee (US Army Infantry Ret.)

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Posted by: bottomsgardenchapel
Date: Feb 18 2014 1:08 PM

1SG E-8 Franklin King Lee (US Army Infantry Ret.) passed away February, 15, 2014. He was 72 years of age.

 

A celebration of life and home going service will be held at Hartford Baptist Church at 11 AM Wednesday, February 19, 2014 with Bro. Chris Kroll, Minister of Music, Bro. Bruce Spivey, and Dr. Ralph Brannon officiating. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service. 1SG Lee will receive full military honors. Internment will take place at Hartford City Cemetery with Jimmy Bottoms of Bottoms Garden Chapel Funeral Home directing.

 

The family request that flowers be omitted.

 

Frank was born November 30, 1941 in Hartford (Geneva County) Alabama to Malcom Lee and Velma Ruth (King) Lee. Frank grew up living and working on the family farms. He was a Christian, having accepted Jesus, as his Lord and Savior, at 12 years of age. He was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in his youth. In 1974 Frank joined Hartford Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School for a number of years and was an Ordained Deacon. He graduated from Geneva County High School (Hartford), class of 1960. Frank played football and baseball for GCHS. After graduation he was activated by the Air National Guard for basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas. He completed Air Force basic training, then joined the Regular Army 30 August 60 and served 20 years. Frank married his sweetheart, Linda Ann Phelps, May 22, 1961, Ann then followed him around the world as an Army wife and mother. Ann and Frank were happily married for 50 years and 11 months at her death on April 8, 2012. Some of Frank’s military awards are: Combat Infantry Badge, Leigon of Merrit, Bronze Star with “V” device and Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V” device with One Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Assault Badge and other service medals. He received one foreign award, The Vietnamese Honor Medal. Frank studied the Vietnamese language at the Defense Language Institute, Southwest, where he graduated first in his class of 200. He served two combat tours in Vietnam. Jan 68- Jan 69, Co B 5/7 t Cav and Oct 70- Oct 71 as NCOIC of Mobile Advisory Team 100, Trang Bang District. After his second tour in Vietnam Frank was selected by DA to complete his college degree while still on active duty. He graduated with a BS from Troy State University in March 1975. Later he would earn a second BS, MS, and EDS. March 1975, Frank was assigned to Ft. Hood, Texas where he served 5 years. He and Ann retired in 1980 to Hartford. Frank’s second career was as an educator. Her served 22 years as a teacher and assistant principal at Geneva County High School and retired in 2004. He was selected “Teacher of the Year” and “Principal of the Year” for Geneva County Schools.

 

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Linda Ann (Phelps) Lee; one brother, Randolph Lee; Randolph’s wife, Jean (Phelps) Lee- sister of Ann Lee; sisters in law, Mary (Phelps) Chancy, Lyian (Wright) Phelps, and Angie (Hobbs) Lee; brothers in law, Rex Phelps, Harold Dorriety, and Harry Chancy.

 

He is survived by daughters, Sherrie Welch and Mary Kay Leach (Greg); Granddaughters, Ashley Welch, Lesley Brooke Carter (Justin), and Shelby Leach; Great Granddaughter, Olivia Brooke Springfield; brother, Tony L. Lee; sisters in law, Mary Frank Lee and Billie Jo Dorriety; aunt; cousins; nieces; and nephews.

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