Arthur Eaton Lee

Arthur Eaton Lee, Jr., 89, died peacefully on Saturday, April 8, 2017 with his family by his side in Lake Charles, LA.

Mr. Lee was born on July 29, 1927 in Vicksburg, MS to Arthur E. Lee, Sr, and Nell Tucker Lee. As with many of our greatest generation, he learned to work hard, stay humble “Oh Lord it’s so hard to be humble”, and lead people to places they’ve never been.

As both Junior and Senior Class President at Carr Central High in Vicksburg he led the basketball team as high point guard to the State Championship. Upon Graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy serving in San Pedro, CA. He briefly attended Ole Miss and later graduated in 1949 from S.L.I. in Lafayette in Business Administration and Accounting. He was a Cost Accountant at Cit-Con Oil Corporation before joining McNeese State College as an Auditor in 1950. Mr. Lee spent over 27 years at McNeese including positions as Business Manager from 1969-1973 during the College’s transition to a University and retired as Vice President of Business Affairs for McNeese State University. While at McNeese, he was appointed as an Honorary Member of the Louisiana State Senate as well as President of LASCUBO, the State’s University Business Officer Association.

Upon retirement from McNeese, Mr. Lee was hired by Mayor Boyer as Director of Finance for the City of Lake Charles serving the city and three different mayors. He was solely responsible for computerizing the accounting system for the City during his tenure until retirement in 1987 while remaining active in the Municipal Treasurers Association as well as the American Management Association. Just prior to retirement, he formulated the accounting and bookkeeping services for the Chennault Industrial Airport Authority at no charge, donating his time and expertise receiving commendations from Mayor Watson and City Council in the process.

His love of sports lead him to play tennis in college, win the city doubles championship and he brought championship tennis to McNeese State as Head Coach in the 1950’s when he started up the program by recruiting several players from Mexico. He led the team to their first conference championships in 1958 and 1959. Mr. Lee was inducted into the McNeese State Hall of Fame in 1999. He was an avid golfer and fisherman throughout his life, spending as much time on the lake or the course as he could with friends and family – affectionately known for creating golf’s “Senior Rules” and his best weapon on the course was definitely his foot wedge. His only hole in one came through a tractor window at Frasch Park in Sulphur, LA.

His greatest love of all was for his friends and family and where he found his purpose. He married his college sweetheart Corine Clary after they graduated S.L.I. and made Lake Charles their permanent home where they raised three amazing daughters. After retirement from the City of Lake Charles, Arthur “Paw Paw” and Corine “Granny” moved to Toledo Bend where they spent many wonderful years living on the lake and making unforgettable memories with their children and grandchildren. He especially loved telling stories and the precious memories created with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren which gave him great joy until his last days. Arthur (Paw Paw, Archie) Lee will be missed by so many and leaves behind a legacy of kindness and integrity - always making and leaving a lasting impression.   Mr. Lee was a devout Catholic and attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Corine Lee; his three daughters, Linda Lee Sonnonstine (Tommy), Liz Lee Austin (Robbie), and Lezlie Lee Boyd (Larry); eight grandchildren, Laurie Sonnonstine Briggs (Mark), Kevin Sonnonstine (Shelley) , Scott Austin (Holly), Lisa Austin Seymour (Tony), Leigh Ann Austin Charles (Anthony), Bryan Boyd, Hunter Boyd, and Tucker Boyd; and nine great-grandchildren, Marlee Briggs, Hudson Briggs, Aiden Seymour, Austin Seymour, Addison Austin, Bayleigh Austin, Camden Austin, Ellie Charles, and Emma Charles.

A funeral mass will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. The Rev. Nathan Long and Deacon Glenn Viau will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin in the funeral home on Tuesday from 12:00 noon until leaving for the church. A rosary will be recited at 2:00 PM.

Many thanks to Brookdale Dementia Care and to Will and the staff at Louisiana Hospice for their endearing care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3717 Government St. Ste #7, Alexandria, LA 71302, https://act.alz.org/site/Donation.