Charles Lee

"Charles Willis Lee, 87, a resident of the Hillsboro died, August 15, 2009 in Hillsboro, Oregon after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

A memorial service for Charles will be held Saturday August 22, 2009 at 2:00pm at Calvary Chapel Worship Center 6550 SE Alexander St. Hillsboro, Or 97123. Private internment will be at Willamette National Cemetery.

Charles was born October 12, 1921 in Meridian, Mississippi to Marcus Cleveland Lee and Lena Belle McDonald Lee.

Charles was the oldest son of Marcus Cleveland Lee and Lena Belle Lee. He attended Long Creek and Dry Creek schools in Lauderdale County, Mississippi graduating as the valedictorian of his high school class.

He joined the Air Force at age 20 later switching to the Army, where he served during World War II in the Air Transport Command, stationed in the Azores. He was discharged in 1945 as a 2nd Lieutenant with an honorable discharge. He then began his long career as a salesman in Houston, Texas later moving to Portland, Oregon.

He moved to Portland in his late twenties and continued as a salesman of appliances, Kirbys and life insurance. He owned Charles Lee Appliance and Furniture in Aloha for many years. He was awarded many trips as prizes for being a top salesman of Kirbys and appliances, including trips to Hawaii, Mexico City, Acapulco, Scotland, England and even a Super Bowl Game.

He married Mary Lou Hanson on June 4, 1954. They celebrated 49 years of marriage prior to Mary Lou's death in 2003. They have two children, Kathi Nees and David Lee.

He was a member of the Hillsboro United Methodist Church, a Boy Scout leader, and a member of the Elks. He was a Reedville school board member for 6 years. Charles loved to camp, hunt, and fish and in later years enjoyed woodworking. He would spend hours making rubber band guns and log reindeer to sell at the Hillsboro Farmers Market.

He also enjoyed the special time that he spent with his grandchildren and travelling with his wife. Charles lived in Hillsboro for 42 years, most recently living at Rosewood Specialty Care in their Alzheimer's care facility. His family would like to thank Rosewood for the loving care that they showed Charles for the past six years, especially during his last week of life. We would also like to thank Odyssey Hospice for the care and support that they provided during Charles' last week of life.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathi Nees, son-in-law, Mark Nees and their children; Tyler, Trevor and Callie Nees all of Hillsboro. His son, David Lee, daughter-in-law, Shyla Lee and their children; Jason, Jaren, Jordan and Justin all of Tigard. As well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and his aunt, Mae Frazier of Meridian, Mississippi.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lena, his father, Marcus, his brother Ray and his wife Mary Lou."

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