Harry Lee Southall

He was born on September 3, 1939 in Rexmont, PA to Harry and Dorothy Southall. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; daughters, Jennifer (Rod) Mann, Elizabeth (Bob) Denny, Stephanie (Travis) Bodge; and grandchildren, Shaun and James Mann; Alex, Anna, and Andrew Denny; and Shane Dreher. His siblings are Norma Yacklovich, Tom Southall, and David (Christine) Southall. Lee was preceded in death by sister, Linda Biever. He was loved by Carolyn’s three children, Bob, Beverly and John, 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Lee graduated from Cornwall High School in 1957 and served as a musician in the United States Navy. He attended West Chester State College, Trenton State College and North Texas University. Lee’s music career began in Pompton Plains NJ, where he taught for three years. He joined the faculty at West Chester University in 1967 where he taught brass and jazz for 36 years, before retiring in 2003. In 2005 he was awarded Professor Emeritus status by West Chester University for outstanding service and significant contribution to the field of music.

He loved playing trombone in a variety of groups. He was a member of the Reading Symphony Orchestra for 20 years, played in big band settings, including for famous entertainers in the Latin Casino, Palumbo’s and the Valley Forge Music Fair, and with road bands. He was director of the Last Big Band in Reading for many years. Lee was a member of the American Federation of Musicians, the International Trombone Association, and served as the Alumni Director of the West Chester University Criterion’s Jazz Ensemble for 34 years. In addition, he served on the Advisory Board of the WCU Wells School of Music and the Lebanon Community Concert Association.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Church of the Good Shepherd, Lebanon PA on Saturday, November 9, at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate in memory to the H. Lee Southall Trombone Scholarship, c/o the West Chester University Foundation, 202 Carter Drive, West Chester, PA 19382