Thomas Lee

Thomas Lee, age 89 of Warren, died Sunday, February 17, 2019 at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township, Michigan. He was born January 3, 1930 in Detroit, son of the late Loy and the late Fong Shee Lee. Born and raised in Detroit, Tom was proud to have attended Cass Tech High School where he ultimately graduated after pouring himself into his studies and achieving an early goal in life. But school wasn't his only focus throughout his growing years. Tom was also honored to be a member of the Boy Scouts of America where his application and focus earned him their highest recognition, the coveted Eagle Scout Award. Known for its prestigious and monumental level that few are able to attain, it was an honor he achieved with extreme humility and wore with immense pride.Tom was a mere 17 years old and fresh out of high school when his American patriotism began tugging at his heart to do something greater for his country, so he marched on down to the recruiter's office and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. The year was 1948 and our allies in Korea began looking for our help, so Tom felt the need to step up and be a part of that effort,…and soon he was off to sea. From 1948 thru 1953, Tom spent just under 5 years of that time serving aboard the famed USS Missouri and the USS Mississippi, two renowned battleships which found he and his fellow crewmen in such countries as Korea, Europe, and China. Assigned the duties of Fire Control Chief, Tom was an essential member of each crew as they fulfilled their missions in support of the war effort.So it is, with thanks & praise from a grateful nation, that we pay homage to Tom for his service to our country and his willingness to stand in harm's way for the sake of friendly alliances and freedom. For the sacrifices made, the bravery and valiance exuded, and his immense patriotism and passion for America,…we honor Tom's service and extend our posthumous gratitude for the role he filled as a sailor in our great U.S. Navy.Following his military service, Tom decided he wanted to further his education which he did by enrolling at Wayne State University in Detroit. With a dream and goal of making his mark in the field of engineering, Tom would ultimately graduate from WSU with a Bachelors of Engineering degree which went far in getting him a position with the automotive giant, General Motors. As part of the Advanced Engineering Services Department, Tom's career with GM would span over 38 years until finally accepting his well deserved retirement in 1998. Tom was 68 years old when he began his new chapter as a Golden Warrior.Married for almost 50 years to his beautiful & charming bride, Carol, these two lovebirds thoroughly enjoyed the pleasures of travel, which they did extensively throughout the globe. Their travels took them to six of the seven continents around the world, with Antarctica being the only destination not ventured. They decided to leave that one to the penguins. The husband & wife duo also found great joy in bowling together, a sport they shared twice-a-week with friends,…right up until June of last year. Imagine,…88 years old and still doing his best to tame those lanes in search of that elusive "300 Game." As for some of his other favorite pastimes, you might have found Tom sporting a set of snow ski's as he headed for the slopes,…perhaps swingin' the clubs on a sunny day at the golf course,…or maybe donning a racquet for a competitive game of tennis. Whatever the sport, he loved them all and found great delight in sharing the experiences with others. For Tom, it was so much more than merely the game at hand,…it was the memories made to last a lifetime. And of course, this little story of Tom would be sadly remiss if not for mentioning his passion for the iconic GM product, the Chevrolet Corvette. Yet Tom's passion took things to a whole different level when he began collecting the coveted American vehicle. Over the years, he was the proud owner of a number of the vintage automobiles,...with his latest in the series, a white 1980 model, still sitting pretty in his garage at home.A loving husband, father and grandfather,…Tom was a true family man, a man of faith, and a man you could depend on. He gave with the heart of a servant, asking nothing in return. He leaves behind a legacy of love that is sure to be treasured with each reflection shared. He will be missed immensely and loved eternally. Tom was the beloved husband of Carol. Dear father of Sabrina (Scott) Edelhauser, Stuart Lee, Jonathan Lee, and Terence (Wendy) Lee. Cherished grandfather of Matthew, Elizabeth, Isabella, Abby, Noah, and Nixon. Brother of Frank (Dorothy) Lee, and preceded in death by four siblings; James, May, Wayne, and Mary Lee. Tom is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Visitation for Tom will be held Thursday, February 21st from 3-9 pm, with a 7 pm Scripture Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Road) in Warren. He will lie in state on Friday from 9:00 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 9:30 am at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Warren. Immediately following Mass, military honors will be rendered in recognition of Tom"s service to our country as a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. In tribute to his honorable service, Tom will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. His Committal Service will be held at 1:30 pm on Monday, February 25th at the cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcomed to the American Cancer Society, 20450 Civic Center Drive, Southfield, MI 48076 (www.cancer.org),...to the AmVets National Service Foundation, 4647 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, MD 20706 (www.amvetsnsf.org),...or to the Michigan Humane Society, 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 (www.michiganhumane.org)Please share memories of Tom at his guest book above.