Ed Lee, III

MADISON-Ed Lee III, age 66, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in North Carolina, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 24, 1945, in Newport News, Va., the son of Ed Jr. and Lois (Holt) Lee. Ed attended high school in Virginia, where he played football and played the accordion. After high school, he moved to Wisconsin to attend UW-LaCrosse. He joined the U.S. Marines, and served in the Vietnam war from 1966 until 1968, where he earned a purple heart award, along with many other awards. After serving his country, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from UW-LaCrosse, and later earned a Master of Arts in education and administration from the University of Texas, San Antonio. He taught high school English, Speech, Drama, Literature, and radio and television communications until 1976, when he switched gears and went into the mortgage business. Ed had a true passion for this business and continued his mortgage career throughout the years to follow. He enjoyed fishing and watching his boys play sports throughout high school. Ed was a dreamer, he dreamed about new business ideas. In the final years of his life, Ed battled leukemia and was relentless at letting it take his life. He was a courageious mand and was so optimistic about his fight. He dreamed of returning to Wisconsin to spend the remainder of life in Wisconsin. Even though Ed could not overcome his illness to make the trip home, his boys will make it happen for him. Ed is survived by his sons, Andy, Adam, and Alex; brother, Bob Lee; nephews, Logan, Jarred, Austin, Ryan, and Brian (Bobbi); niece, Becki Hoppe and her son, Kameron Lee; sister-in-law, Cindy Hoppe; former wife, Gina Gray; and best friend and companion, Blue. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, at Noon on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, with the Rev. Jeff Vanden Heuvel presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. A special thank you to James Fink for the support and care of Ed over the past couple years. Cemetery: Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. Funeral services will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, at Noon on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, with the Rev. Jeff Vanden Heuvel presiding.