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Van Lee Obituary
After various positions in engineering and several years managing his own firm, Van became the Director of Engineering for the City of Fort Smith, a position he held for 23 years. In this role, he oversaw the construction of several major street projects in the city. After retiring from the city, Van continued his consulting career with Maryland based CDG Engineers, where he managed major road projects in Northwest Arkansas until 2010. He was a Past President of the Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers, was a long time Rotarian in Fort Smith and Springdale, and was a member the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering and the Arkansas Alumni Association.
Van is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judy; daughters and sons-in-law Julianne and Bruce Bartlett of San Antonio, Texas and Jennifer and Phillip Bryant of Fort Smith; three grandchildren, Winn Bartlett of San Antonio, Madeline Bryant of Fort Smith and Morgan Bryant of Fort Smith. Van is also survived by his brother, Roger Lee and wife Pat of Fort Smith and his sister, Vicki Lee of Fayetteville; a sister-in-law Paula Morton and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Nora Lou Miller. Van lived a full life with many hobbies and interests. He was an accomplished guitarist and composed several of his own songs. He also enjoyed fly fishing, and was an avid Razorback football fan. He enjoyed travelling, spending time with Judy and their friends in Colorado, and most of all spending time with his extended family at Lake Ouachita.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 15, from 5-7 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 16th at Community Bible Church in Fort Smith, with burial immediately following at Fairview Cemetery in Van Buren, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Barry Morton, Philip Morton, Alex Wayne, Geoff Wayne, Bill Hanson and Bob Robinson and Dwayne Lee.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Glory Girl Foundation, established in the memory of Van's great niece to provide support for families of children receiving treatment at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock. For more information, visit www.glorygirlfoundation.com.
Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Donna Johnson
December 16, 2015
Judy and family, I am so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Judy, you and Van were such a team and have done so much good for so many. You have a treasury of wonderful memories that will be coming to you one by one in the days and months and years to come to keep Van close to your heart.
December 16, 2015
Very very sorry for your loss. Know that all of your family has wonderful memories of the time spent together. Van was a very kind and gentle man. Could not ask for a better friend . Thinking of you and the family in this time of grief. Janna & Albert Newton
Richard Lobdill
December 15, 2015
Judy, it has been so very recent that I was able to get to know you and Van even though we are family. I am grateful that I was able to get to know Van -- we crammed in a lot of friendship in a small amount of time. What was most obvious to me is how much you two enjoyed being around each other -- there was a respect and friendship between you that is very rare. And even when he was ill, he reached out to make those around him comfortable when it was clear he was in pain.
I will remember the quiet confidence he exuded as a great example for approaching life.
Ray Gosack
December 15, 2015
Judy,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at the loss of Van. Van was someone who could always be counted on to do the right thing. He had the highest standards of ethics and integrity, and did what was in the best interests of all the citizens. I trust you'll find comfort in celebrating the many accomplishments of his life and the legacy he leaves us. God bless you and your family.
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Kurt House
December 14, 2015
Van was the neatest grandfather. One of the first times I was able to spend time with him was at the Bartlett;s in San Antonio and Winn was about 6 years old. Van composed a song he named "Beano Man" just for Winn, and I will never forget the love. Kurt House
Tom Reed
December 14, 2015
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our condolences go out to you and your family.
Tom and Lynn Reed
Shannon Reed Mueller
Reed & Associates
December 14, 2015
Judy, I am sending you many prayers and hugs. I have such great memories of you and Van. Much Love, Tina Angeletti Bare
Gary HIckey
December 14, 2015
It is hard to find the words to express the depth of my sorrow in hearing of Van's passing, Judy. I have known, competed with, and against Van on the athletic fields since elementary school and I have never met a more dedicated, hard working person in my life. I know he put up a valiant battle through his suffering the last few years, and I admire you for your dedication to his care. May he finally rest in peace. God bless you and your family.
Terri Davis-Beaupre
December 14, 2015
Our hearts go out to you at this time of great sorrow. I will remember Van as a man who demonstrated what it truly meant to be an adult; he treated people with kindness and respect, conducted himself with both a sense of decorum and humility, and always exhibited good will toward others. The world is diminished with his passing. May God comfort you in your loss.
Dick & Judy Bushmiaer
December 13, 2015
Judy, We were so saddened to hear of Van's death. He was a very good friend and was the epitome of kind and caring. He always had a smile and was ready to do whatever if it made someone else happy. Van will certainly be missed by us and all who knew him. May he rest in peace. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your extended families.
Susan Angell-Gonzalez
December 13, 2015
Judy,
I am deeply saddened by Van's passing. His compassion for others and love of life will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
December 13, 2015
Judy, we are sharing your loss so just know you are not alone. We had such a wonderful luncheon together up in Fayetteville several yrs.ago with the Boyers, the Kings, the Parkers, the Woffords, you and Van, and Teena and I. I will always remember how we went around that dinner table with each couple giving a brief overview of their life after FSHS. I have kept that picture in my office to this day along with one of the 6 guys standing in front of Tom's home. So very sorry we could not make it to the funeral. Dale & Teena McIntosh, Midlothian, VA.
December 12, 2015
Judy, I'm so very sorry to hear of Van's death. My heart-felt sympathy and sincerest condolences go out to you and your family.
Patsy Jackson
Mountainburg, AR
Sheila Gass
December 12, 2015
Judy, this message is for you and your family. I am so sadden to hear of Vans passing. It was such a pleasure and honor to take care of him through his stay with us. He was so heroic and positive in his battle to get better. His life was full of life and loving you and his family. I am praying for you, your girls and extensive family. He will be so missed, but can you imagine how happy God will be to have him in heaven. No pain or is comfort. What a joyful thought. We will all miss him! I am glad you have so many friends and family with you during this loss. I love you.
Carolyn/Cookie Cain/Hanson
December 12, 2015
I grew up in FSHS with Van Lee being the football star and hero of the school. He was always so nice to everyone and never got the "big head". I was not surprised to see all of his life accomplishments and I am certainly he had a wonderful family who loved him very much. I wish I had known him better after we left high school, but my life moved to another state, so I am left with only a few fond memories of him....all good. My deepest sympathy to a great guy. Carolyn Hanson (Cookie Cain, Maiden name) in Overland Park, Ks.
Jim Sengel
December 11, 2015
Judy, it was a blessing for me to know Van beginning in Junior High and continuing through college. Unfortunately we were distanced after that but I have always had the highest respect for Van because of his high integrity, dedication to his goals, loyalty to friends and love for family. He also gave me the opportunity to know you which was also a blessing. He was a good friend. Ijim am so sorry for your loss.
Jim Askew
December 11, 2015
Judy, Julianne and Jennifer,
Of course I was terribly sorry to learn of Van's passing when Bruce sent word. I'll always remember his kindness and the many fun times shared while we were Rebels, at Baylor and whenever together in the many years since.
David Bates
December 11, 2015
Dear Judy: We were so very sorry to learn that Van has died. We wish we could be there in person to wrap you with warm hugs, but are sending them to you. When you feel able, we would love to have you come and visit so that we can spoil you.
"Although, the ship has disappeared from our sight on this shore, it has only gone ... to take up the glad shout and welcome them on their arrival on that other shore. " Much Love David and Jenny Bates
Vanessa Shahan
December 10, 2015
It was truly a blessing to be able to care for Mr. Lee while in our unit. He was so positive and appreciative despite the pain and complete fatigue he endured most days. I'll never forget him or you, Judy. God bless you and your family and ease your pain during this difficult time.
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