Ted Edward Lee

LEE Ted Edward Lee passed away October 7, 2016 at the age of 74. Ted was born, and lived his entire life, in Jacksonville, Florida. Ted's life was unexpectedly cut short due to complications surrounding elective back surgery. He wanted it fixed so he could spend more quality time with his grandkids. Ted grew up in the San Jose area of Jacksonville. He was an All City football player for the Dupont High School Dragons, and Captain of the team. He passed on a football scholarship to Florida State University to play football for Gordon State Military College. He joined the American Red Cross Voluntary Lifesaving Corps in 1963 and was Commodore of his class. He was an engineer for Florida East Coast Railroad in the mid-60s, and then began his career in the finance industry following a football injury in a recreational league. He was hired as a loan officer for General Finance Corp, and later recruited to join Barnett Bank as a Branch Manager. He ran the 103'rd Street and Fort Caroline Road branches. This was what he called the glory days of banking, where the manager knew all the customers and personally extended loans, enabling them to change lives. Ted retired from Bank of America in 2007 after a 27 year career. Ted retired as Sergeant First Class in the Army Reserve in 1996. He served in the 11th Special Forces Group, ODA 314 and was a member of the Halo Team and Scuba Team. He was still active in the Special Forces Association, NorthEast Florida Chapter LXXXVIII.. Ted was also active in the Rotary Club International, Morocco Temple, Safari Club International, and the Boys Home Association. Ted helped shape many boys lives while he was active in the Boy Scouts, and both of his sons earned the rank of Eagle Scout. You're Burnin Daylight could be heard daily as he mustered the boys to get on with the day and stop sitting around. Both sons graduated from Florida State University and Ted is a 30 year member of the Seminole Boosters. Missing only a few home football games during that time. If you went with him, be prepared to stay for the entire game because 'the players have to stay for the whole game, why shouldn't the fans? Ted also loved to play golf, especially with the Morocco Golf Association members. He proudly boasted of 2 lifetime Hole-In-One's (and one was shot at a Bobby Bowden golf tournament!) Before his back issues limited his adventures, Ted was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed camping, bird hunting, and fishing. A longtime goal was to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. His priority in retirement was spending time with his grandchildren. He never met a person he didn't like. He had a way to make you feel like a friend. His goal when he met you was to make you smile or laugh, and he always had a joke to tell. Ted is survived by his wife Lassie, three half-brothers, Myron, David, Jimmy, two sons, Alex (Stephanie) and Chris (Kelly), and 4 grandchildren, Justin (13), Grayson(9), Jake(3) and Myla(1). Ted was interred in the Jacksonville National Cemetery in a private service with Chaplain Davis officiating and full military honors on October 14th. Services provided by Hardage-Giiddens. A Celebration of Ted's life will be held from 6 - 8 PM on Thursday, November 10th at the Morocco Shrine Auditorium (Back Activity Building), 3800 St Johns Bluff Road, Jacksonville. Family and friends are encouraged to bring their favorite Ted story to share. Please consider donations to the Special Forces Association, Shriners Hospitals for Children or Jacksonville Beach Lifeguard.