George David Lee

Published 9:25 am Thursday, January 22, 2015

George David Lee was born in Vicksburg Nov. 8, 1923, and died in Vicksburg at age 91 on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2015.

His mother was Frances Fitzhugh Lee and his stepfather was Willie Edwards. His maternal grandparents were Laura Fitzhugh Lee and Harry Lee, who both resided on the Fitzhugh Plantation in Warren County with George. He was home-schooled until the fourth grade by his grandmother.

The Fitzhugh Plantation was where the present Turning Leaf and Littlewood subdivisions are currently located. He attended Bovina School for grades 4 through 8, and attended Culkin High School for grades 9 through 12, graduating in May 1942 as valedictorian. Emmett Haining was the principal.

Mr. Lee had memories of Culkin School burning one night in the late 1930’s, and the WPA bringing tents, which were used for classrooms until temporary buildings were available.

He graduated in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree from Millsaps with a major in chemistry and a minor in Industrial German. He received a Master of Science Degree from LSU with a major in chemistry and a minor in chemical engineering.

In 1956, Mr. Lee received a Doctor of Engineering degree from the University of Alabama, majoring in industrial engineering, and taught classes as a graduate assistant at Millsaps, LSU, and Alabama.

He served honorably with the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II, receiving the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He served again with the U.S. Army in Korea and was honorably discharged.

He was employed as a chemist and industrial engineer by Swift and Co. in Chicago for a number of years and also taught at Loyola of Chicago before returning to Vicksburg, where he lived during his retirement years on Lee Road.

He was confined to Vicksburg Convalescent Home beginning in March 2013, until the time of his death.

Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Frank J. Fisher Funeral Home.