Clarence Wayne Lee – Colonel, United States Air Force

Clarence Wayne Lee, age 69, of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, died Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at his residence.

Born in Palacious, Texas, he was a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel.

He was a graduate of Cotulla High School, Cotulla, Texas, Texas Agriculture and Mechanical University, College Station, Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering and Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, California, with Master of Business Administration.

Colonel Lee was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Air Force in the Congo Airlift of 1962 and the Vietnam War from 1966-67.

His overseas assignments include duties in Tripoli, Libya, Tan So Nhut, Republic of Vietnam and Camp Smith, Hawaii.

He served as Chief in the Air Force Energy Office, Headquarters United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Director of Contracting and Production, Defense Fuel Supply Center, Cameron Station, Alexandria, Virginia, Deputy Chief, Energy Management Office, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Deputy Commander, Defense Fuels Region, Camp Smith, Hawaii, Professor of Aerospace Science, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, and Fuels Advisor to Vietnamese Air Force, Tan So Nhut, Republic of Vietnam.

Colonel Lee was a recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Medal (foreign country award), Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device 12, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and many other decorations and ribbons.

After retirement from the Air Force, Wayne devoted much of his time helping manage marine fisheries in coastal North Carolina and along the East Coast of the United States. He was actively involved in fisheries management at many levels over the past 10 years serving as an advisor on the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission’s Finfish Sub- committee, as a member of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Striped Bass Advisory Panel, on the Mid Atlantic Fisheries Management Council Summer Flounder Industries Advisory Committee, and as Chairman of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Weakfish Advisory Panel. His many years of diligent public service culminated in his appointment in August 2000 to fill an at-large seat on the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, where he was serving as Vice Chairman. Wayne received universal support and respect from recreational and commercial coastal fisherman throughout North Carolina and along the eastern seaboard because of his commitment, objectivity and willingness to learn. He made a difference both in the lives of fisherman and marine resources along our coasts.

Colonel Lee is survived by his wife of 45 years, Edlene Kay Cathey Lee of the residence; two daughters, Cathey Kay and husband, Thomas F. Lancaster of Manassas, Virginia, and Valarie Lynn Lee and husband, Thad W. Schad of Mesa, Arizona; his mother, Verti Lou Watts Lee of Cotulla, Texas; sister, Bobbye Ann Pierce of Cotulla, Texas; two grandchildren, Rebecca Lynn and Shari Lee Lancaster.

He was preceded in death by a son, Darryl Wayne Lee; his father, Clarence Bruce Lee and a sister, Jean Troop.

Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 at 9 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, PO Box 1967, Elizabeth City, North Carolina; the American Heart Association, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, Virginia 23058; or the American Cancer Society, 930-B Wellness Dr., Greenville, North Carolina 27834.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard