Verl "Lee" Chase

1925 - 2010

Verl "Lee" Chase
11/6/1925 - 3/8/2010



Lee, who was one of six children of Merl and Walcie Chase, was born on November 6, 1925 in Liberty Township, Missouri and passed away quietly in his sleep on March 8, 2010, in Yuma Arizona.
As a long time resident of the Auburn area, he was best known as the owner of Lee Chase Chevrolet from 1972 to 1982.
Lee, like so many young boys, lied about his age so he could join the Navy during World War II. As an electronics/radar specialist he was stationed aboard ship in the South Pacific Theater until returning home after the war. He returned home to marry, on April 6th 1946, in Adrian, Michigan, his sweetheart, Yvonne M Jones, with whom he has remained a life long partner of almost 64 years.
After moving to Citrus Heights, California in 1952, Lee learned he had a knack for selling cars. In 1972 he moved to Auburn and built Lee Chase Chevrolet. He loved the business community of Auburn and was active in the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, The Elks Lodge, United Way, Buttons N Bows Square Dance Club, and The Auburn Valley Country Club. He was especially proud of the fact that his President's Portrait at AVC was the first to not depict the President in a tie.
Lee loved to hunt, fish, and golf. Upon selling the dealership in 1982, Lee and Yvonne did all these, while traveling North America by Fifth Wheel and Motorhome, until eventually settling in Yuma, Arizona, and Parachute, Colorado. He became an avid Trap Shooter and one year won the Nevada State Senior Trap Championship. His wish for a final resting place, was to have his ashes scattered at his favorite fishing holes.
Lee and Yvonne have two sons, Mark, of Auburn and Brian, of Sacramento. He has five grandchildren, Alyssa, Jared, Justin, Macy and Courtney as well as two great grandchildren, Jaden and Hunter Desrochers. He is survived by his sisters, Linda McSwain, of Carmichael, and Joan Ahart, of Lincoln.
There will be a Private "Celebration of Life" with Yvonne and the rest of the family at the Coon Creek Trap Club in Lincoln on the 10th of April.
Lee had a good life and was one of the "Good Ones". We'll miss you!