Melvin E. Lee

Melvin E. Lee, 65, of Topeka, died December 6, 2008 at Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center.

He was born in Hugoton, Kansas on March 21, 1943 the son of Finis M. and Geneva Mae (Prather) Lee.

Melvin retired due to health reasons in 2000 as a Maintenance Supervisor in the Bandbury Department for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company after 35 years of service.  He started an amusement vending business in 1980 and was the owner of College Hill Bar and Grill.

He was an avid sports fan, pool player, golfer and especially enjoyed watching the Royals.  Melvin enjoyed playing golf in the Goodyear Golf League with his son and also taught his grandsons to play.  He was a people person and enjoyed his many friendships throughout the years.

Melvin married Linda Raines on August 12, 1961 in Hooker, Oklahoma.  They later divorced.  He is survived  by one son, Karl W. Lee of Topeka and one daughter, Tammy G. Lee of Topeka, three grandchildren, Dustin Jessepe and David and Alex Lee.  He is also survived by three sisters, Pat “Sis” Cravens of Silver Lake, Velda Tackett of Hugoton, Kansas and Lila May Love of Tyrone, Oklahoma, five nieces and one nephew, and three half brothers Robert “Bobby” Lee of Arizona, and Finis Monroe Lee Jr. of Oregon and Ferlin Monroe Lee of Newton, Kansas, and half sister, Brenda June Lee of Arizona.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jimmy Monroe Lee.

Melvin will lie in state at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Tuesday after 2:00 p.m. where the family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m.  Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at Topeka Bible Church with interment to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Association, CAT Association, or Thornton Place and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 West Sixth Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences may be made at www.brennanmathenafh.com.