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Bennon Lee
Joplin, MO - Bennon Lee, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force and successful businessman, passed away on Monday, January 14 after a long illness.
Bennon was born on September 13, 1932 to James Roy Lee and Ozie Underwood Lee. He was the oldest of ten children. He was proceeded in death by father James Roy and mother Ozie, brothers Billy Roy Lee, Donnie Bruce Lee, Jackie Wayne Lee, and sisters Eloise Lee and Carolyn Woodard, son Anthony Christian Lee, and wife Iona Lee. He is survived by brothers James Harry Lee and Bobby Glenn Lee, sisters Ann Johnson and Mary Perkins, sons Jeffery Lee and Mark Lee, mother of his children, Laverne Ryan, step-daughters Susan Richardson, Deda Richardson, Jann Luker and Carol George, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bennon graduated from Castor High School in Castor, Louisiana, and attended LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he received a degree in forestry. He went on to be drafted in the United States Air Force and served as a B-52 pilot and served in the Vietnam War. Later, he obtained a master's degree in geodesy from Ohio State University. He used his knowledge of geodesy to map the ocean floor for the United States Military. During his time at the Pentagon, he assisted in the development of the A-10 Warthog.
Bennon married Laverne Donham in 1956, and they had three sons. In 1981, Bennon remarried Iona Williamson and gained a large extended family. Known as "Papa Lee," Bennon loved his family deeply and poured years of wisdom and knowledge into the younger generations.
In July 1990, Bennon founded Lee Inspection & Consulting Services, Inc. with brother James Harry Lee, sons Jeffery and Anthony Lee, and sister Ann Johnson. He worked tirelessly, treated people fairly, and operated with impeccable integrity. He retired from Lee Inspection as Chief Financial Officer in June 2017 and is well respected, and missed, within the industry
A memorial service will be held in Joplin on January 26, 2019 at 5pm at The Emerson & Finn's. Dinner will follow. Please contact the family if you will attend. A burial will be held at Ebeneezer Church on Saturday, February 9, at 11am in Castor, Louisiana. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital of St. Louis, Missouri.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Shreveport Times.
4 Entries
Sorry for your loss. May God give your family peace and comfort during this difficult time. Rom 15:33
January 30, 2019
I am so proud of the legacy that Bennon accomplished. What he was able to achieve was amazing. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Ken Kennington
January 21, 2019
The Final Salute
Brothers in Arms, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged Hand Salutes as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.
This Hand Salute is the last that we shall render to Bennon Lee our Brother-in-Arms. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Bennon. To Bennon it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the devoted and selfless service he rendered to his country during the Vietnam War while serving as a B-52 pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Bennon, we commend you for your honorable service. You are a true patriot, who served with honor and distinction. You upheld the finest qualities of an American patriot warrior: courage, commitment, generosity, sacrifice, love and devotion to family and country. You were a true friend. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at Ease. Rest in Peace.
On behalf of the 961 military veteran Legionnaires of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion and the 177 veterans of VFW Post 2238 in Shreveport, Louisiana, we extend our sympathies and our condolences to Bennon's family and loved ones.
Dennis Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 South Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109
Ranny Griffin, Commander, VFW Post 2238
1245 Gary Street, Shreveport, LA 71101
For the Commanders, Carroll R. Michaud
January 21, 2019
Our Heavenly Father has given us a life span of 70-80 years if we are especially strong. May you celebrate a life well lived and loved by many. May the words of Psalm 90:10,14 bring comfort to the family.
Pamela Johnson
January 21, 2019
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