Taylor Co., TX - Obituaries - James Emmett Lee *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************** The Abilene Reporter News Abilene, Taylor County, Texas Sunday, January 9, 1944 JAMES EMMETT LEE DIES IN MICHIGAN PLANE CRASH Lt. James E. Lee, better known to his Abilene friends as Emmett, died Saturday in the crash of a twin-engined B-26 Marauder medium bomber from Kellogg field at Battle Creek, Mich. The 26 year old Abilenian was the only child of Mrs. Eunice H. Lee, 1630 South Eighth Street. Four other Army fliers met death in the crash, according to an Associated Press story from Battle Creek. The Marauder plunged into a field two and a half miles south of the base and burned. Capt. David E. Bales, public relations officer at the field, said the crew had reported by radio that the left engine had failed and an emergency landing would be attempted. Lieutenant Lee was born in Alexandria, LA, but had lived most of his life in Abilene. He attended public schools here and later did college work at both Abilene Christian and McMurry. He later was employed by the Dub Wooten Sporting Goods company where he served as "contract man" with athletic coaches over the territory. He was well known in sports circles, having served as student manager of football at Abilene high school and in the same capacity at both of the colleges he attended. Prior to going into the service in April 1942, he was connected with the Lone Star Gas Company. He was a navigator- bombardier getting his bombardier's wings at Roswell, NM and qualifying as a navigator at Carlsbad, NM. He first was stationed at Santa Ana, Calif. He was in Abilene last fall for a short period on sick leave, returning to the Michigan base in October. Survivors: his mother; 2 aunts - Mrs. Milton Harvey of Abilene, Mrs. Tim Turner of Dallas; 2 uncles - O.P. Harvey of Abilene, Wiley J. Harvey of Abilene and Sweetwater. Funeral arrangements handled by Laughter Funeral home. -- The Abilene Reporter News Abilene, Taylor County, Texas Wednesday, January 12, 1944 Don Morris, president of Abilene Christian college will officiate at the rites at Highland Street Church of Christ, assisting will be Dr. Hugh Clark, College Church of Christ minister and Cecil N. Wilson, minister of the Highland Church. Pallbearers: Dub Wooten, Ray Hardwick, Vic Payne, Jack Bye, Lee Harris, Willis Harris, Lee Signor, Dewey Mayhew. Burial will be in a local cemetery.