Edward Lee Kral, known to all as Lee, passed away in Dallas on February 20 from complications of a severe stroke he suffered in March 2023. His passing was peaceful and he was with family and friends. During the months after his stroke, many relatives and old friends came to visit him and he was always happy to see them.
Lee was born in Fort Worth on February 18, 1955, just a few minutes after his twin sister Jeanette. He grew up in several towns in West Texas, most notably Crosbyton and Lamesa. He graduated from Lamesa High School in 1973 and then attended Texas Tech University, where he earned his bachelor's (cum laude) and master's degrees in electrical engineering. Following graduation, he worked for Boeing for several years, then Texas Instruments, and finally Raytheon until his retirement several years ago. He was a brilliant engineer, with a specialty in image processing.
Lee was a fine athlete in his youth and continued playing tennis throughout his life. He loved the outdoors and was a dedicated fisherman and shotgunner. He loved observing wildlife, especially birds and was a skilled birder. He went on many backpacking trips through the years, almost all in the Rocky Mountains, and had several memorable encounters with moose and grizzlies. He loved music and literature, and was a dedicated amateur astronomer, even building his own telescope. He was a kind and thoughtful person, a dedicated friend, and was blessed with a great sense of humor.
Lee is survived by his parents, Bob and Willa Kral, his sister Jeanette Gordon, his brother Robin Kral and sister-in-law Rachel Kral, his uncle Pat Faris and aunt Julie Faris, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He will be greatly missed by all.
The Kral family thanks the staff of The Plaza at Edgemere for their kind and effective care of Lee for many months. We’re also so grateful to the sitters provided by Peace at Hanameel Private Home Care Dallas, especially Rhunda and Barbara.
If you are so moved, a memorial gift to the Heifer Project, Nature Conservancy, Cornell Ornithology Laboratory, Methodist Home, MD Anderson Cancer Center, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
