Lee Walker Burhans Jr.

Lee Walker Burhans, Jr., age 84, died Friday, February 24, 2006, in his sleep at Kingston Residence of Perrysburg.
Lee was born August 9, 1921, in Toledo, Ohio, to Lee Walker and Gertrude (De Long) Burhans. Lee was raised by foster parents, Bill and Mary Maddox, also of Toledo. The Maddox's were active champions in Archery competitions and taught Lee to love the sport as well. By the age of 16 he had won Flight Shoot competitions too numerous to mention.
He graduated from Libbey High School in 1939 and went to work for Ohio Bell, where he worked for 42 years, based predominantly in Toledo in the Marketing Department, which he retired from in 1982. During his career with the Telephone Company he helped plan the communication systems of many of the largest corporations and hospitals in Northwest Ohio.
In 1942, he joined the Army Air Corps as a bombardier, and spent much of the war as a bombardier instructor in New Mexico and Nebraska. In 1945, he met and married Janet Traub of Omaha, Nebraska. They were married for 58 years until her death in 2003.
At the end of the war he transferred into the Army Signal Corps (Reserve) and returned to Toledo and Ohio Bell. He remained in the army until his retirement as a Lt. Col. in 1981.
He and his telephone cronies were well known for their love of fun, sports and practical jokes. They started the Ohio Bell Ski Club, sailed the river as the "River Rats" in his houseboat, and worked hard to improve the communities in which they lived.
Upon retirement in 1982, Lee and Janet moved to Albuquerque, NM, where they lived for 10 years until returning to the Toledo area in 1992 to properly supervise and participate in the lives of their grandchildren whom they loved dearly.
Lee was a 50-year member of Triad Lodge, past President of the Findlay Sertoma Club, past Governor of Sertoma International, a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, and a past member of the Perrysburg Exchange Club. He was one of those rare individuals who lightened the hearts and minds of everyone he met, from close friends to casual acquaintances. He will be missed by many.
He is survived by his son, Tod (Nancy); grandchildren, Katy and Zach; sister, Edith Miller; sister-in-law, Vera (Traub) Cooper, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank all the staff of the Kingston Residence of Perrysburg for the care and attention they showed towards Lee. He could not have lived out his life in a better place.
Friends will be received after 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, at Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 E. Indiana Avenue, in Perrysburg where Memorial Services will begin at 3 p.m. with Pastor Timothy P. Philabaum officiating. A private reception will follow. Memorial contributions can be made in Lee's name to the charity of choice. Arrangements were entrusted to Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, Perrysburg (419-874-3133).