Donald Edwin Lee

Donald “Don” Edwin Lee passed away December 21, 2024, at the age of 94. Don was born on September 22, 1930, in San Antonio, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents Lonnie and Eva Gates Lee, and by Janice Kniker Lee, his loving wife of 66 years.

A sixth generation Texan whose ancestors fought at the Alamo, Don grew up in Seguin. He graduated from the University of Texas where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, a sportswriter for the Daily Texan and had a sports column in his hometown paper. It was during college that he met his future wife Janice on a blind date.

Don was an Eagle Scout, ROTC member and served as a Captain in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He loved God, family, golf, water painting, college football, the old Southwest Conference and a good Old Fashioned. Family vacations included visits to football stadiums, and he was thrilled to pass on his love of football to his daughters. Don lit up any room he walked into and had a great sense of humor.

After the Marine Corps, Don went to work for the Humble Oil Company (Exxon-Mobil) in 1954 in their original advertising department. He was with Exxon for over 36 years in management positions in advertising, marketing, public affairs and the company’s coal affiliate. He served as Exxon’s Liaison to Disney and was instrumental in the original Universe of Energy at EPCOT, a favorite of his family as it included Disney trips and one on one time with Mickey Mouse. Don served on several boards, including Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars, The Sons of the Republic of Texas, and The Foundation Board and Media and Communications Board of Texas Tech University, a university he enthusiastically adopted when his daughters traded in the family burnt orange for scarlet and black.

Don was very involved with his children’s activities and served as president of several booster clubs from swimming to drill team. He was a long-time member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.

Don’s Exxon career saw his family transferred several times. After leaving Houston, they lived in Louisville, Kentucky; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Memphis, Tennessee. The family moved back to Houston in 1972.

When Don retired from Exxon in 1990, he and Janice spent many summers in Europe and touring the United States. They were loyal Longhorn fans and had season football tickets for years.

Don is survived by his daughters Lisa Lee White (Steve) and Jennifer Lee Curtis; granddaughters Lauren Anderson (Sonia Herrera), Kelsey Wicker (Matt), Kim Curtis, Kaley White (Skylar Gay), and great grandchildren Norah and Rowan Wicker. With two daughters and four granddaughters, Don was overjoyed at the age of 93 to meet the first boy in the family.

A funeral service will be held on January 11, 2025, at 10:00 am at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, followed by a military burial and reception. The family wishes to thank Priyanka Johri and the staff at Acorn Manor Assisted Living who so lovingly took care of Don and his beloved dog Lucy for several years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks those that would like to honor Don’s memory please donate to Pure Mutt’s Animal Sanctuary (a part of his assisted living organization) at 26519 Interstate 45 North, The Woodlands, Texas, 77380.