Obit of Records, Walter Lee - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 21 Feb 2010 Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::NOT LISTED Tucson Citizen, Tucson AZ Records, Walter Lee, 85, passed away on February 19, 2005 at the Tucson Medical Center. Walt was born in Oklahoma City, OK on September 30, 1919. He graduated from Capitol High School in 1937. He entered the Army Air Corps in the summer of 1941 and graduated from Pilot Class 42D, Mather Field, California in April 1942. During World War II, he served as an instructor pilot for crews on B-17 and B-29 aircraft. He was a command pilot with over 4800 flying hours in numerous aircraft. In 1945, he married Dorothy Mae Swearingen. After the war, he continued to serve in the US Air Force as a meteorologist, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1968. In 1968 he began work with the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO where he served as the logistics field supervisor for several worldwide weather projects. Later, Walt worked for his older brother, Louis, in developing the US Strategic Petroleum Reserves in Louisiana and Texas. In 1978, he moved to Fort Walton Beach, FL, where he lived for 22 years. In 1984, he acquired a computer and began what was to be an extensive life-long project researching the Records' and Swearingen's family histories. He became an expert in basic computer skills, which enabled him to compile newsletters for his church, the Kiwanis Club and the local art society, and to teach computer classes at the local junior college. After the death of his wife of 56 years, he moved to Tucson in 2002 to be near his youngest son, Russ. While in Tucson, he became involved with the Desert Skies United Methodist Church. While participating in the Church-sponsored events, he met Mary Jane Wilson, and they were married in July 2003. He enjoyed playing bridge, golf, hunting, fishing, RVing and visiting his children and relatives. Walt was the ultimate Mr. Fix-It. He never threw anything away that he might use later, and rarely encountered a problem he could not solve. Walt was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his wife, Mary Records; his sons, William (Augie) and Russell (Barb); his daughter, Sharon (Jim) and grandchildren, Peter, Alicia, Christopher and Patrick. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on February 23rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Desert Skies United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions in Walt's memory may be directed to the Tucson Medical Center Hospice or the Desert Skies UMC endowment fund. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html