Lawrence Lee

Loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and lifelong Durango resident L. Wayne Lee passed away Thursday June 19, 2014, at his home. He was 78.
Wayne was born to George Ellis and Gladys Abbigail Barlow Lee, daughter of early pioneers to this area, in Durango. He attended Durango Schools including Animas Elementary School, and was in his mother’s class at Ore School in the 7th grade. He graduated from Durango High School in 1955 where he received outstanding football honors. Including All-Conference and All-American and played on the team that tied for State Championship. He graduated from Colorado State College (Now The University of Northern Colorado) in 1960 where he received many more honors in football. In 1961 he was the first Colorado graduate to be drafted by the Denver Broncos. He was a Fireman for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad.
Wayne married Carol Seedroff in 1962; they were married for 52 years.
He began a teaching career in Denver. After moving back to Durango he taught and coached football at Durango High School and Cortez as well as Ignacio where he started the wrestling program.
Wayne was the youngest person to be elected to the Durango City Council in 1965. He served on the council for 4 years, serving as Mayor for one year. In his term he was instrumental in developing the city’s new water and sanitation system to serve south Durango water district and other areas of the city. He also helped build the city park and recreation areas such as Fanto Park and Schneider Park. He also implemented a retirement program for the City Fire Department.
Wayne and Carol started ranching full time in the early 1970’s and were able to register a new breed of cattle known as Tally-Ann which is recognized by the National Livestock Association. He is listed in Who’s Who in Colorado and Who’s Who in the Western Livestock Association.
He was an insurance broker for Manhattan National Life Insurance. He was an avid fly fisherman and hunter and tied flies in his spare time.
He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Durango. He belonged to the Colorado and La Plata County Cattlemen’s Association, Elks Club, One Hundred Club, Colorado Federation of Wildlife, American Quarter Horse Association, National Association of Life Underwriters, La Plata County Fair Board, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, of Durango, and 5 Children: Tammy Bright (spouse: Russell Bright; children: Jonathan and Wyatt), Shanna Lee-Davison (Spouse: Bart Davison, Children: Matthew Lee, Lukas, Katelyn), Jared Lee (Spouse: Darci Trebil, Children: Georgia, Owen, Tatum), Jeremiah Lee (Spouse: Marissa Lee; Children: Kaleb, Alayna, Kelton), Joshua Lee (Spouse: Katie Lee; Children: Emily, Nicholas, Lincoln), and two brothers Ward Lee and Edison Lee.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Virginia Luzar and a grandson Jacob.
He is dearly loved by his grandchildren and they dearly loved him. Some even called him “Poppo”. When one grandson was asked what he liked best about his Poppo, he replied “His Spirit!”. Other grandchildren would say they loved his stories and the way he sang to them. His grandkids lit up his face when they came into the room.
A funeral service will be on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Durango. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery.