Donald R Lee

Donald Ray Lee was welcomed to Heaven on Sunday, October 16, 2022. Don was number five of the six “Lee boys” born to Octavious, “OT”, and Minnie Louise Martin Lee. Born on October 23, 1943, Don grew up in Burlington, NC with his brothers. The Lee house was full of daily mischief and fun! Many of their stories were shared for years around Minnie’s kitchen table along with marathon hours of Monopoly that Don especially loved participating in.

Don attended Walter M. Williams High School in Burlington where, one lucky day, he locked eyes with Kay Layman. Don would repeat the story his whole life of how he was captured in the stairwell at first glance of Kay and there was no looking back. Don and Kay were married on August 9, 1964. Don honorably served his country as a Military Police Corporal in the U.S. Army from 1964-1967 in Korea and Vietnam. After his return from service, he began work as security for the railroad. He and Kay welcomed two children into the world - Michelle in 1970 and Dondi in 1973.

He proudly became a NC State Trooper, protecting the city and surrounding area of Charlotte. After several years as a trooper, Don would then settle into the division of License and Theft investigation where he would later retire. After retirement, Don accepted a position with security at the headquarters of Bank of America in uptown Charlotte and then, with the Federal Reserve Police. Don was a protector and he loved to share his experiences in Vietnam and as a trooper with family and friends. He would spend hours telling stories and finding ways to make the people around him laugh.

Don was a constant jokester. You always saw him with a smile, a wave and a warm “how ya doing?” He loved a good cup of coffee with his breakfast, trips to the fish camp for dark side flounder, fries and slaw, or a burger. These were his usual requests. He was a simple man with a huge heart! He loved to get out when he was able to ride his bike and he loved his and Kay’s poodle companion, Mia, so very much!! Don looked forward to family gatherings together during the holidays and birthdays. He loved listening for Santa’s bells with the grandchildren at Christmas. When you saw Don, he was going to be dressed well and smelling good! He took pride in helping others in any way that he was able.

Of all of his accomplishments in life, his greatest gift was his devotion to his family. He and Kay were married for 58 years. Don loved and protected his children always and was overjoyed with the role of Gran to his three precious grandchildren - Tori, Nicholas and Camden. He loved his family so very much!

Don was preceded in death by his father and mother, Octavious and Minnie Lee, as well as his brothers, Walter, Ed and Bobby. He is survived by his wife, Kay Layman Lee, daughter, Michelle Lee Pfaff and husband, Jeff, son, Donald Ray Lee Jr. - Dondi and wife, Julie, brothers, Gerald Lee and wife, Rusty of Port St. Lucie, FL, and Ronald Lee and wife, Pam of Concord, sister in laws, Hilda Lee of Statesville and Lena Mae Lee of Burlington, grandchildren, Tori, Nicholas and Camden and many wonderful nieces and nephews. A celebration of Don’s life will be held at 1:30pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, October 23, 2022 - Don’s 79th birthday. There will also be a LiveStream of the church service at covenantpresby.org/live. A graveside service will follow at Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Don may be made to Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte.