Retired Sergeant First Class Ernie D. Lee, 70, died July 21, at Metroplex Hospital. Ernie was born June 24, 1948, in Matador, Texas, the youngest of five children of Earnest C. and Ida M. Lee. A private family visitation will be held in Copperas Cove, Texas, but no services will be held by his request.
Ernie proudly served in the United States Army as a signals analyst in the Military Intelligence field from 1972-1992, and served in Berlin, Texas, Panama, Florida, and Hawaii.
Ernie married the love of his life, Therese L. Hill in 1980. They were married for nearly 38 years and had just begun a new chapter of their lives, travelling to see the great United States and relatives along the way.
After retiring from the Army, he continued to volunteer for Army Family and Soldier Support Groups at Field Station Kunia, Hawaii and Fort Huachuca, Arizona, serving as both a member and as president. He was awarded the Forces Command Dr. Mary E. Walker Award for exemplary volunteerism in 1999.
Since Ernie’s return to Copperas Cove in 2000 he remained busy. He worked for the City of Copperas Cove and retired as the Animal Control supervisor. Ernie had a great love and compassion for animals, fostered many dogs, and was an avid bird watcher for many years. More recently, he was his mother’s primary caretaker for nearly 4 years before her passing in 2016 at the age of 100. He loved his 1957 Chevy pickup, old cars, and motorcycles as well as following in his mother’s footsteps making jams and jellies and piecing and sewing quilts.
Giving back to the community was important to Ernie. Over the past 18 years, Ernie volunteered thousands of hours throughout the community with the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Chamber of Commerce, Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful Commission, Salvation Army, Special Olympics, and the Copperas Cove Animal Shelter. Most recently, he began volunteering in Spur, Texas, to help restore the historic Palace Theater, shuttered over 50 years ago, where he worked as a projectionist as a teenager.
Ernie was an honest, caring, friendly man, who was a ‘never met a stranger’ type of guy who was a friend to all. Many will greatly miss him.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest C. and Ida M. Lee and grandson, Vincent Edward Gonzales II. He is survived by his beloved wife, Therese Lee of Copperas Cove, Texas; cherished daughters Denise (Sean) Morse, Heather Monroe, and Amanda Gomez; brother Charles (Grace) Lee; sister Ida Barker; brother Willie (Rosalie) Lee; and brother Jack Lee. He is also survived by numerous precious grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many friends who he loved dearly.
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