Thomas Lee, Sr.

Funeral services for Thomas Tommy Lee, Sr, age 81, have been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 in the LaFondArdoin Funeral Home Chapel in Opelousas. Interment will be in the St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery in Grand Coteau. The Reverend Greg Gaspard will conduct the service.

Mr. Lee, who was a native of Desark , Arkansas and a resident of Opelousas, LA, died on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at Opelousas General Health System.
Tommy served his country proudly in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. After the conflict, Tommy entered college where he became a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Mr. Lee worked in Baton Rouge for Uniroyal and then Vulcan chemical plants. He was active in the community as a member of the Central Jaycees, where he served as President and then as Regional Vice President. He was also a cofounder of the Central Area Youth League and a cofounder and board member of the Central Volunteer Fire Department. Later Tommy taught school at Belmont Academy for 3 years, Port Barre High School for 12 years and Beau Chene High School for 6 years. During the 19911992 school year Mr. Lee received the Teacher of the Year award. He was a member of the Louisiana Association of Education and the American Federation of Teachers. He was the owner of the St. Landry Rig Maintenance company and he served as Head Deacon at the Unity Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Betty M. Lee of Opelousas son, Buddy Lee and friend, Donna Firmin of Prairieville, LA daughter, Kristin Lee Guidry and husband Chuck of Baton Rouge, LA step son, Roderick Lyn Ritter of Lake Charles step daughter, Melissa Steffan and husband Craig of Eunice brother, Jerry Walls and wife Carolyn of Lawtell, LA grandchildren, 2nd Lt. Cody Lee and wife Andrea, Danielle Dauphinet, Katy Miller, Grant Guidry, Texster Ritter, and Natocha Ritter great grandchildren, Tyler Dauphinet, Julia K. Dauphinet , Jordan Ritter and Dylan Ritter.

He is preceded in death by his father, Wilburn Lee mother, Effie Walls stepfather, Preston Walls 1st wife, Kay Francis Crespo Lee and brother, Harlan Walls.

Pallbearers will be Jason Freneaux, Troy Walls, Derrick Walls, Texster Ritter, Bill Weaver and Brian Spears. Honorary pallbearers will be 2nd Lt. Cody Lee and Dustin Gunter.

Visitation will be held in the LaFondArdoin Funeral Home of Opelousas beginning on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 from 5:00 9:00 p.m. and will reopen on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. until service time.

LaFondArdoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 S. Union St, Opelousas, LA, 70570, 3379422638, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Visitation

Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home
2845 S. Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
5:00 9:00 p.m.

Service

Rosary

LafondArdoin Funeral Home
2845 South Union Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
11:00 a.m.

Cemetery

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church Cemetery
174 Church Street
Grand Coteau, LA  70541

Memorial Contributions