Harry C. Lee

1932 - 2019

TUSCALOOSA - Harry C. Lee, age 87, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., passed away March 24, 2019. Visitation will be Friday, March 29, 2019 at Heritage Chapel Funeral Home from 6 to 9 p.m. Funeral Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2019, at Heritage Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Kelvin Croom officiating. A private family burial will follow with Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.
Harry was born on January 27, 1932, in Leeds, Ala.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Janie Ruth Lee; brother, William C. Lee; and son, Marc Daniel Lee.
Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Janet "Jan" Lee; daughter, Donna Lee Merrill; sons, Wayne Lee (Marybeth) and Todd Lee (Susan); grandchildren, Courtney Lee Cline (Wesley), Hunter Sparks, Rob Lee (Ashlyn), Taylor Lee Miles Sam Lee (Anna), Marc Evan Merrill, Trey Caldwell (Ashley) and great-grandchildren, Rubie, Bennett, Cooper, Brock and Mack.
Harry was an outstanding football player at Phillips High School and received a scholarship to the University of Alabama. He was a four-year letterman at the university (1951-54) and at the end of his career; Harry was only the 23rd football player since 1892, to letter all four years. Harry and Jan married in January of 1954. They would have married in 1953, but Harry was playing in the Cotton Bowl.
Harry was drafted into the Army in 1955 and served with the 101st Airborne. While playing for the Army post team he was scouted and recruited for the. Hamilton Tiger Cats in Ontario, Canada. An injury would end his football career and he returned to Tuscaloosa.
Harry joined Mutual of New York Insurance Company as a financial and insurance advisor and remained in that capacity for the next 56 years.
He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from The University of Alabama. Harry had many interests that revolved around the love of his community.
He was one of the original members of Tuscaloosa Business Exchange (TBE). He served on the local and regional board of directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Tuscaloosa Board of Education, the Alabama Silver Haired Legislature and served as chairman of the PARA Little League program, as well as coached Little League football.
Harry was secretary to the University of Alabama A Club, a past member of the University of Alabama President's Advisory Committee and a charter member of the John Fraser Ramsey Scholarship Award Committee.
Pallbearers will be Hunter Sparks, Rob Lee, Sam Lee, Evan Merrill, Trey Caldwell, Wesley Cline, Ian Hannah and Scotty Scott.
Honorary pallbearers are A-club members, TBE members, Boys and Girls Club board members and the John Ramsey Scholarship Board.
The family would like to thank all of the doctors and nurses at DCH Northport and Tuscaloosa, and at Hospice of West Alabama for their loving care of Harry.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Boys and Girls Club, Hospice of West Alabama or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be offered at www.HeritageChapelTuscaloosa.com.