Life-long resident of Paris, Dennis Lee passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veteran’s Home in Bonham, TX, he was 89 years old. Dennis enjoyed a remarkably active life until a broken hip last July, 2009 precipitated a rapid decline in his health.

Born in Bogota, TX on March 9, 1921, he and his family moved to Paris following the depression, opening a small neighborhood grocery store on 10^th. NE. For many years, the little grocery store was both their source of income and home.

He is preceded in death by his father, Eddie Lee, mother, Sadie Chance Lee, sister, Mary Jo Lee Fowler, wife, Margie Bankhead Lee , and daughter, Carmen Anita Lee.

Dennis is survived by his brother, Ridjell Lee, his wife Marie Robb Lee of Paris,  and their children, R. Scott Lee, Stacy Lee Jarvis, and Tom Lee. His son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Linda Lee of Grapevine, TX. Grandchildren Jeffrey Lee also of Grapevine, TX and Meredith Lee of Chicago, IL. Sister-in-law Betty Bankhead Kennedy, and brother-in-law, JB Bankhead both of Paris, along with their children and grandchildren. Other surviving family members include Joyce Gray of Paris, Joel and Marylou Wofford, their son Paul Bayer, and Cheryl and Zach Michael, and their daughter Addyson.

Something he was very reluctant to discuss, First Lt. Dennis R. Lee was a highly decorated veteran of World War II. As the officer in charge of Forward Observer Teams (also known as Fire Support Specialist), he forever mourned the substantial combat fatalities sustained by the enlisted men under his command. Medals and recognition include the Silver Star (the third highest award for heroism in combat), Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster, American Defense (commonly called Pre-Pearl Harbor Medal), European Theater Medal with 4 Campaign Stars (Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardenes-Alsace), WWII Victory Medal, and many more (Expert Pistol, Sharpshooter Medal for Rifle, et al) shared with thousands of brave men and women serving in World War II.

Additionally, along with others of his unit, Dennis was awarded the French Liberation Medal awarded by the City of Metz, France for liberating Metz from enemy forces. Annually the city of Metz, celebrates this liberation from German Occupation in November, 1944. Ceremonies are conducted at the sight of a monument (Les Hommes DE fer de metz) erected for the brave men of the 95^th  “The Iron Men of Metz”. Arguably, many historians credit the liberation of Metz as a turning point in World War II. Dennis was enormously proud and publically silent about his role in and with General Patton’s 95^th. Infantry Division. For this action, Dennis was also awarded the French Liberation Medal by the French government.

In 1939, Dennis took the postal entrance exam but was called to the Army in 1940. Upon returning from WWII, he began his career with the United States Postal Service. Holding almost every job the Post Office had to offer, Letter Carrier, Carrier Technician, Supervisor, Foreman of the Mails, Supervisor of Mails and Delivery, Superintendent of Postal Operations, and Postmaster. He retired as Postmaster in 1982 to support his wife Margie, through an ever-worsening disease. Margie passed away, at home in hospice care with Dennis by her side in July 2002. During his postal career, Dennis served as “President of Paris Branch 501 of the National Association of Letter Carriers”, “Director of Texas State Association of Letter Carriers”, “Treasurer, Vice President, and later President of TSALC”.

Retirement, as most people know it, never happened for Dennis. As a long-time Lay Reader, and later Sub-Deacon at Holy Cross Episcopal, he found a calling to visit home and hospital bound individuals administering appropriate prayers and conducting communion services. During this time, he collected and researched the journals and records from the pioneers establishing Holy Cross Paris and served as the biographer of The History of Holy Cross through 1916.

Dennis may have been best known as the “Popcorn Man” at Paris Regional Medical Center. He rarely missed a Monday morning in his 30 years of volunteering with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). He was honored as “Volunteer of the Year – Lamar County” in 2005. Early in his “retirement” Dennis signed on with the Tax Aide program sponsored by AARP. Each year, he would study the latest IRS regulations and each January would take the exam to qualify as a volunteer tax preparer for the Tax Aide program. Always proud to make 100% on the exam, he met that standard through 2009, and his final year to “assist the elderly with their taxes!”.

Following retirement from the Post Office, Dennis became very interested in researching Margie’s family tree. It took him many years of correspondences, trips to libraries, and is now contained in numerous volumes; but, he was completely captivated by the possibilities. His daughter Carmen had joined him in his quest, and they were constant companions in all things genealogy. Dennis was an active volunteer at the Paris Genealogy Society Library. With his knowledge of Paris and Lamar County he took great pride in assisting others’ in their research.

Dennis was flattered to serve as Grand Marshal of Paris’ Fourth of July parade and celebrations in 2003.

Honoring Dennis as pall bearers will be  William Cooke (pen-pal since 1930) of Newport, South Wales, U.K. (in absentia), Bob Thornburrow, John and Jo Norton, Wayne Clement, Brother-in-law, JB Bankhead, Great Grandson, Joel Wofford (all of Paris), nephews, Tom Lee of Frisco, TX, Mike Kennedy of Texarkana, TX, and Murray Bankhead of San Diego, CA, and "Doc" Rowland available in spirit only.

Visitation is scheduled for 7:00 – 8:00pm Tuesday, June 22 at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home, Paris. The Burial Rite is scheduled for 11:00am Wednesday, June 23 at Church of the Holy Cross, Episcopal, Paris. Inurnment will follow in the Columbarium located adjacent to the church. The service will be conducted by The Rev. Dr. Terry Germann, The Rev. Betty C. Clement, and assisted by Lay Reader, Jim Bell.

In lieu of flowers, if so inclined, please make a donation to your favorite charity, or The Carmen Lee Endowment Fund at the Church of the Holy Cross, Paris.

The family wishes to extend their most sincere appreciation to family, friends, and caregivers, including most recently at the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veteran’s Home, for the outpouring of support and encouragement during Dennis’ most personally challenging time.