David W. Lee

12.2.47 - 10.19.23 David was born in Lubbock, TX to Monte and Frances Lee. David was proud of his father's service as a decorated WWII veteran, and Frances, simply stated, was the love of David's life. David grew up in Pauls Valley and attended PV High School, lettering in football, basketball and track. David attended OU, receiving his bachelor's in finance and a law degree. David was in ROTC, at once being grateful for the opportunity to continue his education, albeit burdened with guilt for skirting the horrors of Vietnam. David was proud to be a civil rights activist during the turbulent times of the late 1960s. After law school, David was deployed to Fort Gordon, Georgia, received a commission and completed his military obligation. David moved to New York City and worked as a legal intern for his mentor at Oklahoma Legal Aid, who lived in New York City. Eventually, David returned to Oklahoma and spent years in public service, beginning at the district attorney's office in Bartlesville, then to the public defender and district attorney's offices in Oklahoma County and lastly the attorney general's office. For 25 years David authored and updated biannually "The Handbook of Section 1983 Litigation," published by Wolters Kluwer, NYC. He argued four cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He appeared on Flash Point. He even had an appearance on Good Morning America to discuss a case he argued before the Supreme Court. Eventually David went into private practice. While some would consider David a bit of a Renaissance man, he characterized his intellect to that of simply possessing interest in many things, not of raw intelligence. He said his little sister Shae (Sharon) "got all the brains" as he would proudly boast about her holding a master's degree from the OU School of Architecture. David married Mary Carr in 1985, and while the marriage eventually ended in divorce, David was blessed with a son, Taylor, who David adored. David was acquainted with Lynn Gatling Hilton, a federal court reporter he had seen around the courthouse. However, it wasn't until a mutual friend suggested David ask her out that David approached the subject, using the unique pickup line of, "Do you know you look like Diane Sawyer?" David charmed Lynn and in 1998, they were married at the federal courthouse surrounded by many friends. David led a full life with many opportunities taken and the wealth of good friends. David's death was slow and excruciating and in the final days of his life, Lynn played his favorite music, placed his best four-legged friend Oliver next to him, and comforted him as he had faith and pursued the unknown end. He is survived by his wife, Lynn; his sister, Sharon (Gary) Ross; his first wife, Mary, and their son, Taylor; sons Bryan (Corry) Hilton and Blake (Desiree) Hilton; grandchildren, Asher, Quinn and Noor Hilton; father-in-law, Bob Gatling; brother-in-law, Kyle (Jill) Gatling; and nieces and nephews, Cerisa, Dylan, Rachel, Annika and Ryan. Also, his "adopted" sister, Linda (Peter) Krug, the daughter of David's father's WWII Army buddy Lt. Dale Barnes who was killed in action on the Rapido River next to Monte before she was born. David was predeceased by his parents and his mother-in-law, Martha. A celebration of life will be held in Pauls Valley to be announced at a later time. A memorial will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Edmond, 305 East Hurd Street, on December 22, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. To read the full obituary, go to https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/11503952.