Marion Stanley Lee

Stanley was born August 1, 1923 in Clinton, Oklahoma to Robert Whitfield (Whitt) Lee and Bessie Leona (Bess) Hammack.

The family moved to Oklahoma City in 1932 when his father started Lee Way Stages, a bus line which evolved into Lee Way Motor Freight. Stanley attended Edgemere Elementary School, Gatewood Elementary School, Taft Jr. High, Classen High School and graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. His education was interrupted by WW II, as he was called into active duty.

Stanley served in the European Theatre of WW II as a reconnaissance pilot for General Patton. He flew a small scout plane through the clouds, the fog and the snow over German lines during the Battle of the Bulge. He said that was much better than working with the mules in Italy, where he was first stationed. Stanley and his group of L-4 pilots were the first to land in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia where he celebrated, with the local people, General Patton’s arrival and the end of the war. Like most in his generation, he rarely spoke of his time in WW II, but focused on the future.

Stanley returned home to Oklahoma City to his beloved wife, Jerry, and his son, Whitt. At this time he joined his father and brother at Lee Way Motor Freight, first serving as Vice President and then as President where he helped Lee Way grow and become one of the largest LTL trucking companies in the U.S. After Lee Way’s sale to Pepsico, Stanley formed an Investment company and voluntarily began to oversee some of the extended family interests – including the original Lee family and Hammack homesteads near Hammon, Oklahoma and the Dr. Pepper Bottling and Distribution Company in Elk City, Oklahoma.

He was active in the cultural community of Oklahoma City his entire life. He was involved in and a founding member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, President of the YMCA Board for 5 years, on the Board of Allied Arts, the Oklahoma Art Center, Oklahoma Historical Society and Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of Young Presidents Organization; the Rotary Club; the Committee of 25 in Rancho Mirage; the Fortune Club; the Masonic Lodge Royal Order of Jester; and the Queensbury Club, as well as serving on Boards of two local banks. He was a patron of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and belonged to the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club; the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.

Stanley was always upbeat. He had a great smile, a twinkle in his eyes and those who knew him commented on his charm, his warmth, and his interest in them. He was a people person. He was a true Gentleman, and the Patriarch of the family. He was devoted to his wife, Jerry. He loved his family and extended family; he was always supportive and they could always count on him for help or support-no matter the reason. He was an avid golfer, and traveled extensively with Jerry. He loved going to Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, which he did for over 60 years, where he taught his children and grandchildren how to catch a fish and how to ride a horse. He spent the winter in Palm Springs, Calif. But he liked coming home to Oklahoma City the best.

Stanley was preceded in death by his father R. W. (Whitt) Lee, his mother Bessie Lee, his loving wife of 63 years, Geraldine C. (Jerry) Lee, his sister Betty Lou Upsher, his brother Robert E. Lee, and his grandson Tobias Botkin Lee.

He is survived by his sons, S. Whitfield (Whitt) Lee and wife, Chris of Salt Lake City, Utah; Larry K. Lee and wife, Debby of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Richard C. Lee and wife, Chava of Juneau, Alaska; his daughter, Claudia Lee Foster and husband, John of Bozeman, Montana; his 15 grandchildren and step grandchildren, and his 21 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would also like to express their appreciation and thanks to the wonderful people at Lee Investments who worked with Stanley over all the years and who helped him in business and with his family, to Judith Nwoka, Dr. Ron White and all the friends and Care Givers who gave their support and care.

Services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 N. Shartel, Oklahoma City, Okla. on Monday Dec 5th at 2:00 PM.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or the Oklahoma Historical Society.