Larry
Lee was born in Flint, Michigan, to Lewis and Kathryn (Finger) Lee. He gave business school a real try, but his heart was on the road. His dorm room looked out over a loading dock, and he liked watching the semis roll in and out. He came home and told his parents he wanted to drive a truck.
He married Kathryn (Cole) Lee in 1971, and his work with Signal Delivery Service took them briefly to Waukegon, Illinois, and then to Columbus, Ohio, which became their home. Over his 30-year driving career, Larry logged more than a million miles on the road. He delighted his children by bringing his truck to their school's career day, competing in semi rodeos, knowing what truck stops at what exits offered free coffee with gas purchase, and predicting with precision what time we'd pull into the driveway following a family vacation—estimated from several states away. He taught us the art and science of three-point turns and parallel parking.
In Columbus, Larry became an avid Buckeye football fan. He loved a good win against the Wolverines, but his favorite game-day tradition was dialing his sister, Janet—a lifelong Spartan—at the exact moment the game clock wound down to zero and trading jabs over which team had played better that day.
Larry always had a joke or a funny story to tell, maybe something he'd heard on the radio. His tastes were all over the dial from all-night truckin' shows and political commentary to a local call-in show (“Larry from Columbus” got to share more than a few of his stories on-air.) Christian radio was always a staple in his home and on the road. When his health declined in later years, he especially valued the choir music and messages he heard on Moody Radio.
He demonstrated his faith in Jesus through acts of generosity, serving at his church, and faithfully caring for his family. He faced his long and challenging illness with courage, resilience, and grace. He rejoiced in his salvation and looked forward—maybe more than most—to his complete healing in heaven.
Larry is survived by his wife, Kathy Lee; son, Chris (Angela) Lee; daughter, Carol Lee; grandchildren, Scarlet and Garrett Lee; sister Janet (Lee) Hudson; and many nieces and nephews. Each night before he left for work, he'd pause with Kathy to pray this Scripture: “The Lord watch between thee and me when we are absent one from another” (Genesis 31:49). That remains our prayer until we see him again.
The family will hold a small graveside service at Pilgrim Home Cemetery and plan a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to WGNB Moody Radio.
