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In Memory

Charles "Chuck" M. Lee, Sr

Lifelong Alaska Charles "Chuck" M. Lee Sr., 49 died of brain cancer Oct. 27 1995, at Providence Alaska Medical Center with his wife as his side.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Evergreen Memorial Chapel, downtow, followed by a burial with full military honors at Angelus Memorial Park. The Rev. Mary Koch of First Congregational Church will officiate. Pallbearers will be Charles M. Lee Jr., Jacob Lee, Carl Bahn, Jim Griffith, Gregg Mottet and Mike Prevost.  Honorary pallbearers will be Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. Pump Station 10 personnel.

Mr. Lee was born Dec. 14, 1945, in Kodiak, where he lived 14 years.  His family then moved to Anchorage. He graduated from East High School in 1964, attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and graduated from Northrup Institute of Technology in California.

Mr. Lee served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam conflict. He was employed at Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. Pump Station 10 for the past 15 years.

He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.  A licensed pilot, one of his greatest joys in life was flying.  He loving biking, skiing, fishing and traveling with his wife.

His family said, "He was a precious, good, kind, and gentle man who loved and cherished his family and friends.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and radiated happinesss with his smile and cheerful attitude.  He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Mr. Lee is survived by his wife. Carol of Anchorage, daughter Barbara of California, son, Charles Jr., stepsons, Billy and Carl Couillette, mother, Janet Lee, all of Anchorage; brother, Mark Lee of Wasilla, sisters and borthers-in-law, Jack and Betsy Scott of Colorado, William and Cynthia Cook of Washington, and Vicki King of South Carolina; uncles, George, Harold, and Ed Naughton, of Kodiak, aunts, Jane Foster of Maryland, Clarisse Duley of California, and Lucille Sanford of Florida; father and mother-in-law, Howard and Betty McElrath of Anchorage, and many nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by his father, Morris. Memorials may be sent to First Congregation Church, 2620 E. Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage  99508

Published in Anchorage Daily News, Oct 31, 1995

 
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07/08/14 08:40 PM #1    

Mike Smulski

Chuck was a great guy and my flying buddy. We rebuilt his Areonca Sedan once and rebuilt the engine on my F-19 Taylorcraft twice; once when I first bought it and the second time after I crashed it in the snow, trying to land on wheels.

Chuck helped me recover the T craft (I helped him, actually). We flew in with the Aeronca on skis and turned my T craft back over, put the skis on, put on a prop I barrowed from John Hobson, took the spark plugs out to drain oil which had run into the cylinders, checked the wing spars as best we could, and I flew it back to Birchwood. Probably a dumb move but I got away with it.

That Aeronca was a thing of beauty - international orange with beige trim, extended nose to fit over the 180 hp Lycoming we installed. Chuck was an A&P mechanic, for those of you that dont know.

THe way I remember the story, and correct me if I'm wrong, Chuck crashed it the first time up the Yentna about 100 miles above Skwentna. Hit an obstacle landing on a sand bar. He and his brother got out by riding a raft down to Skwentna, quite a dangerous feat.

The second time Chuck crashed it was at the North end of frozen Lake Illiamna, and I'm pretty sure it's still there at the bottom of the lake. Chuck sufferred a severe head injury and some think that was responsible for his brain cancer, but I dont agree. Some other prople from PS 10 died of cancer at an early age. Coincidence? Who knows.

Anyway, he was a great friend and is fondly remembered and sorely missed.


02/01/15 11:59 AM #2    

Carol King (Lee-Mindlin)

I miss you every day!


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