Mack James Lee

1930 - 2018

Mack James Lee BURLESON--Mack James Lee, 87, a retired U. S. Air Force chief master sergeant, slipped the surly bonds of earth, put out his hand and touched the face of God, on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in Burleson, Texas. CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church, 590 NE McAlister, Burleson, Texas, 76028, 817-295-1166. Visitation starts at 1 p.m. Inurnment: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at a later date. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, you may wish to honor Mack's memory with donations to the First United Methodist Church, 590 NE McAlister, Burleson, TX 76028; the Humane Society of North Texas, 1840 E. Lancaster, Fort Worth, TX, 76103; or a charity of donor's choice. Mack James Lee was born Aug. 9, 1930, in Camden, S.C., to Danny R. and Etta Mae Scaffe Lee. A 1947 graduate of Chicora High School in North Charleston, S.C., he joined the USMC, November 1948 at Parris Island, S.C. Mack proudly and honorably served his country for over 30 years, initially with the USMC, and then as a USAF (SAC) aerial tail gunner on B-29, B-36, B-50 and B-52 aircraft, accruing in excess of 5,000 flying hours. One of the original 12 gunners assigned to Boeing, he was the first gunner to log 2,000 hours in the B-52. Chief Master Sergeant Lee was a decorated Korean, Vietnam (two tours) and Cold War veteran. His numerous military awards and decorations included the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, AF Commendation Medal and Air Medals. During Mack's military time, he was stationed in numerous states and Guam, Japan, Okinawa and Thailand. After Mack's September 1978 military retirement, he worked in the CITA Program, Shreveport, La., and civil service for the General Services Administration, and Corps of Engineers in Fort Worth, Texas. Mack received the Department of the Army Commander's Award for Civilian Service upon his second retirement in July 1993. Mack was a life member and past finance officer of the Air Force Gunners Association; a 50-year member of Clinton-Hampton Masonic Lodge No. 347, F & AM, Westmoreland, N.Y.; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #8235, and American Legion, Post #626, both in Fort Worth, Texas. Mack coached Pony League and Little League baseball teams for many years. An avid gardener, he enjoyed sharing vegetables with family, neighbors and friends. His hobbies included hunting and fishing trips with his sons and daughter, working in his yard, piddling in his work shop, feeding the birds, enjoying all animals great and small, and, most especially, watching his grandkids and great-grandkids at their sporting events and other school activities. Mack was preceded in death by his sons, M. David Lee and Clint C. Lee; grandson, Danny M. Lee; and his parents. SURVIVORS: Wife of 52 years, Joan Lee; children, Danny F. Lee (wife, Patti) of Benbrook, Texas, Carole Lee Ford of Franklin, Tenn., Kirk E. Lee (wife, Jean) of Allen, Texas, and Brian E. Lee of Tyler, Texas; grandchildren, Mary Anne Lee, Jamie M. Lee, Stephen L. Ford, Scott H. Ford (wife, Sarah), Sean P. Ford (Kayla Bisio), Shannon M. Lee, Jeremiah J. Lee, Shane Greenlee (wife, Christine); great-grandchildren, Tyler and Karley Clinedinst, Lianna Lee, Andie and Addison Greenlee, Bryson and Nash Ford, Jack Lee Jones; sister, Wilma Burton of Virginia Beach, Va.; numerous aunts and cousins; a niece, Tracy Beisgen, and a nephew, Andy Burton, residing in North Carolina and South Carolina.