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Tommy Lee-Family
to remember
Lee, Wendell Ray ("TV Lee"), CMSgt.
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Contact Info
Home Town Paul's Valley, OK
Last Address Novato, CA
Date of Passing Jan 10, 2010
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Age 84, passed away in his sleep, Sunday January 10, 2010. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Anita Lee, his two sons Tommy Ryan Lee and Terry Donald Lee, his grandchildren Ryan, Joseph, Amanda, David, and Jackie and by his great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Jeanne Ross.
Wendell was born Aug. 19, 1925 in Pauls Valley, Okla., to Genevieve and Lawrence Lee. He graduated from Pauls Valley High School in 1942 and attended Oklahoma State University before joining the Army in 1943. He served 20 years on active duty in the United States Air Force. Lee flew 23 missions with the 8th Air Force over Europe and returned home to marry Anita Calkins, the love of his life. He went on to serve in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, retiring at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9). His service decorations include the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal with two bronze service stars, European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.
After his retirement from Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato, Calif., he worked as the general manager of a local cable television company for 15 years, earning the nickname ''TV Lee''. He was a member of the Hamilton-Petaluma Masonic Lodge 180, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Disabled Veterans, and the 490th Bomb Group Association, the Novato Rotary Club and the Sacramento Woodworkers Association.
A viewing will be held at Keaton's Redwood Chapel, 1801 Novato Blvd., Novato, on January 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Hamilton Center Unity Chapel on January 31 at 3 p.m., with a reception to follow. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
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2003 Interview w/ CMSgt Lee:
