Arnold C Lee

Arnold Carl Lee, 91, Lorain, Ohio, passed away while surrounded by his family late Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Arnold was born on October 9, 1933, in Mesa, Arizona. He was the oldest child, and only son, born to Carl Hall and Emma Lucille (Huber) Lee. He was later joined by sisters JoAnn, Nathel, and Karen. His family lived in Arizona, Oregon, and Washington while he was growing up and much of that time was spent on ranches. He always had fond memories and fun stories of his youth.
While he was in high school in Arizona he met the love of his life, Emma June Olson, at a youth activity at church. He proceeded to ask her out on a double date. During that double date, June (as she went by) went to powder her nose with the other girl from the other half of the double date. While in the ladies' room, the other girl asked if June would mind trading dates. June told her very clearly, "NOT A CHANCE!".
After graduating from high school in 1950 Arnold enlisted in the United States Air Force and got stationed in California but kept in touch with June. As fate would have it, June's family moved back to California, and she and Arnold started dating after she called him when she was traveling through Victorville, where he was stationed at George Air Force Base.
Arnold loved telling his own version of the "real" story of how he met June. Legend had it that he was driving through the desert, and he saw her running naked with a pack of coyotes. He caught her and did his best to tame her. His kids delighted and laughed at this story and June would tell him to stop telling people this story because she was worried someone might actually believe it! Even though we all eventually found out how they actually met, his story was always much more fun.
Arnold and June were married on June 18, 1954, in the LDS Mesa Arizona temple. He served in the military for 6 years and was honorably discharged in 1956. Over the course of their 69-year marriage, they raised 8 children - 6 sons and 2 daughters. They always told everyone that their children were their greatest joy and blessing in life. They also told everyone that the reason they stayed married was because neither one of them wanted to get stuck with the kids if they got a divorce. Arnold's sense of humor and love of teasing was never lacking throughout his life. It is a gift that he has passed on to all of his children, and lives on.
Arnold and June were lifelong members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Their faith had a strong impact on their lives and the lives of those around them. They had a special gift of making everyone who came into their home feel like family. We have lost count on the number of friends who called them "Mom and Dad" because that is how they loved everyone around them - like they were their own. They lead a life of love and service to others. It didn't matter who asked them for help, they would always gladly do whatever they could do to assist those in need. To quote Arnold, "Love and service bring happiness and joy into our lives and bring us closer to our Father in Heaven. Without it, our lives would be of little worth".
Arnold was preceded in death by his sweetheart Emma June, beloved daughter Carla June (Lee) Forrest, parents Carl and Emma Lee, in-laws James and Jewel Olson, sister and brother-in-law JoAnn and CH Packer, sister and brother-in-law Karen and John Wayne Lines, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jane and Dick Cassady,
He is survived by his children Steve (Mimi), Rick Forrest, Jim (Keri), Darrell (Jenny), Jeff (KaLyn), Eric (Karen), Mark, and Chandra Dike (Jason), sister Nathel (Tom) Martin, sisters-in-laws Jackie Whitnack and Judi (Rick) Foster, brother-in-law Jim (Robin) Olson, 28 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 1 great-great child.
Burial will be on Friday, May 2,2025, at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery 10175 Rawiga Rd Seville, OH at 10:45am.
Luncheon will take place immediately after from 12:30pm-2pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 12090 Durkee Rd., Grafton, OH, funeral service to follow at 2pm.
Floral contributions may be delivered to the church, Friday, May 2nd by 11am.
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