Ben F. Lee
Ben Lee was born in Beaumont, Texas, July 11, 1944, to Lydia Voyd Frank Lee and Benjamin Franklin Lee, who have both preceded him in death. Ben went to be with Jesus, holding hands with his family, October 18, 2023, at the age of 79 after complications from previous medical conditions added to covid.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 21, 2023, at First Baptist Church Beaumont. Officiating will be Dr. Christopher Moody and Reverend Jean Paul Osteen, both of First Baptist Church Beaumont. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont.
Visitation will be prior to the service at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, October 21, 2023, at First Baptist Church Beaumont.
Educated in BISD, he graduated from Beaumont High in 1962. He served during the Vietnam era in the United States Navy as a Communications Specialist for The Atlantic Fleet, stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, and thereafter in the Navy Reserves for several years. He graduated from Lamar University. In 1971, he married the love of his heart, Elizabeth Gardner, whom he met at his age five and her age three at First Baptist Church in Primary Children’s Care. They would celebrate 52 years of marriage in November 2023. To their union were born their younger son, Zane Gardner Lee, and his older brother, Aaron Kyrk Lee, who went to heaven in 1991.
A writer by profession, Ben was a Sports Columnist for both the Beaumont Enterprise and the Beaumont Journal for many years. He directed a Professional Writing Resumes service, became an investigator for insurance purposes, and then was a technical writer for PetroCon Engineering and J&J Manufacturing. He was an author of poetry, historical fiction, and a Bible-based series developed around Joseph of Arimathea, the uncle of Jesus Christ.
He was an avid member of the international history club SCA, a skilled armored sword fighter and rapier bladesman, as well as an artisan and servant/leader, being a highly awarded member in multiple areas. Known as “Sir Simonn of Amber Isle,” he and his “Dame Tessa Gardens” are legendary for 47 years of servant/leadership in the geographic area known as “Bordermarch, Ansteorra.”
Ben loved the fellowship of former youth whom he taught in Sunday School, his Adult Sunday School Department, and the Men’s Prayer group at First Baptist Church Beaumont, where he was a lifelong member.
He is survived by his cherished wife, Liz; their son, Zane and beloved, Brandy, of Beaumont with her children who call him PawPaw; a brother-in-law, Jack Gardner and wife Lily of Dallas and their sons, Joel and Matt, and their three grandchildren; his cousin, Gary Lee Dunn, and wife Debbie and family of Baytown; his cousin, Ron Smith of Houston; and an army of other relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Bryan Smith, David Lathrop, Richard Parrish, Richard Nunn, Hank Clark, Ron Bentley, Conrad Kuehn, Doug Turnage, Todd Reamey, and Jonathon Lockwood. Honorary pallbearers are George Von Kanel and the Senior Adult Men of First Baptist Church Beaumont.
In lieu of floral arrangements, the family is suggesting those who wish, contribute to the First Baptist Church Beaumont Youth Ministry at 409-833-1426, 3739 N. Major Dr, Beaumont, Texas 77713.