Judson Lee

Judson Lee, age 94, passed away January 16, 2014 at the Regency Care Center in Norwalk.

Jud was born June 24, 1919 in Wick, Iowa, the son of Royal and Helen (Level) Lee. He attended Martensdale High School and graduated from Simpson College. While in his first year of teaching in Lorimor, he met his wife, Ann Collins - his “Irish rose”. He and Ann raised four children together on the south side of Des Moines.

At the beginning of World War II, he worked briefly at Bethlehem Steel Ship Building in New Jersey preparing deferrals for the builders. He attended the U.S. Maritime Academy and served in the Merchant Marines as a deck officer on many ships.

He returned to Des Moines and sold accounting machines at Underwood-Sunstrand, and worked as an office manager for Solar Aircraft. In his 30 years as a business teacher and co-op coordinator at Tech High School, he inspired students into careers in business, accounting, and secretarial fields.

Jud was a member of Ft. Des Moines United Methodist Church and the South Des Moines Lions Club. He enjoyed his family (and, of course, Lee reunions), Cubs baseball, bowling leagues, horseshoes, cribbage, and reciting favorite poems.

Jud was preceded in death by his wife, Ann; son, Dennis; and six siblings: Alice, Pauline, Raymond, Dorothy (infant), Lois, and Mary.

He is survived by his children, Barbara Jacobson (Richard) and Carol Lee - both of Colorado, and son John Lee (Jeri) of Ankeny; brothers, Keith Lee (Maxine) and Paul Lee (Phyllis) - both of Indianola; five grandchildren: Brandon, Jessica, Joe, Laura, and David; seven great-grandchildren; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents at the Regency Care Center for their care and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the South Des Moines Lions Club or the Ft. Des Moines United Methodist Church.

We love you and will miss you, Jud…our dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, teacher, and friend.

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