Ralph Lee

Ralph Lee, 73, of Chester, MD, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on January 20, 2015. Born in Chester, MD, on September 15, 1941, he was the son of the late Lester and Mary Shaw Lee. Ralph grew up in Chester and, after attending school, worked seasonally on various jobs, including the construction of the first span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, with Annapolis Utilities as an Oil Refiller, as a painter for FHA housing and, on the weekends, working as a security guard at the Queen Anne’s County Courthouse. Most recently he worked running his lawn service, “Footloose.” None of these jobs brought him the satisfaction that his true passion, working on the water, gave him. Ralph enjoyed the time he spent on the Twilight in search of crabs and oysters, and said that after he took his last step off his boat, he never felt the same. In more recent years, he always began his day at Little Creek and at Burger King in Chester. Ralph enjoyed spending time with his family. He also enjoyed golfing, served as a manager of the Dominion Softball League, and was very active in the Waterman’s Association. He is survived by his loving wife, Gladys Lee; his children, LuAnn Hudson and her husband, Joe, of Chester and Tyra Lee of Preston, MD; his brothers, Ted Lee of Chester, MD, Wendell Lee of Denton, MD, and Donald Lee of Chester, MD; grandchildren, B.J. Truxon, Kayla Coursey and her husband, Mason, and Tyler Hudson; and a great grandchild, Nicole Truxon. Ralph is also survived by his best friend and partner in crime, Buddy Dennis. He was preceded in death by his brother, Bobby Lee, and a sister, Mary Eunice Lee. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 30, from 4-6 p.m. at the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department, 1610 Main Street, Chester, MD, for which guests are asked to dress casually and to bring their favorite stories about Ralph. Memorial contributions may be made to Compass Regional Hospice, 255 Comet Dr., Centreville, MD 21617; or to the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department, 1610 Main Street, Chester, MD 21619. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. in Chester, MD.

Ralph Lee

September 15, 1941 - January 20, 2015