Charles Lee

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Charles Sydney Lee

Charles Sydney Lee lived everyday of his life in the most positive way, full of hope and energy, and always with a bright smile on his face. Charles was empowered by the knowledge which he embraced as a tool to live a successful life. As a member of the community he flourished. He embraced his love of learning early on and carried it through to his last days. He instilled knowledge by implementing his experiences, allowing his family to grow along side him. His life was rich and he savored it to the maximum in a way most individuals can only dream of. Charles's life was one of which dreams are made of, the kind we see in movies or can only read about.

Although some of his stories contradict the facts, Charles was born on December 5, 1918 to Mary Towery and Kenneth Lee in Purcell, Oklahoma. He grew up with his younger brother Jack in El Paso, Texas. As children they performed together as tap dancers and later on in life after their mother's marriage to Seth Chauvet, they took over the family business, a meat packing plant. Much of his early influences came from his Grandmother Florencia Chavez a full blooded Traumata medicine woman who raised him until he was seven. Growing up with his grandmother and the magic it evoked, she played a role in influencing the rest of his life.

At the age of fifteen he had a brief marriage and a daughter named Patricia Sawtell. His second marriage to Adel Lee added two new joys to his life, Annette Bigham and Mary Adel Booth. As a family they traveled abroad and owned a ranch he often remembered. He also was a Major in the Air Force who fought in both WWII and the Korean War. In 1959 he was also involved in the Bay of Pigs as a pilot instructor. He hungered for more in his life and as always knowledge was a key element. When he arrived to Palma de Mallorca, an island off the coast of Spain, he began work on his book "The Benevolent Monster". Working as an artist and attending the school of fine arts in Bellas Artes, he received his P.H.D. in art. His intreast at this time lead him to develop a deep love for classic Spanish Guitar, and one of his dreams: being a matador, the Spanish word for bullfighter. Durring his time in Spain as an artist he began collecting art and Pre-Columbian Artifacts.

Charles returned to the states to produce and direct movies, purchasing his own dinner theater in El Paso, Texas. Show buisness and its splendor took his work to Hollywood where he became a storyboard artist working on films such as "The Bridge in the Jungle" and a little movie called "The Misfits", which stared Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe. He also worked on televison where he played roles in shows like "Rawhide" along major stars such as Clint Eastwood.

Soon after his life went in a different direction, one filled with danger and excitement. He always said, "A coward dies many deaths but a brave lives to see another day." With this in mind he took many risks with his personal life and chose to become an international undercover agent. This began in 1959 and continued through 2004.

It was in 1985 when Charles married Iris Lee which he claimed was, "El encanto de mi vida," meaning that she was the greatest love of his life. Together they raised two children named Isis Lee and Charles Sydney Lee Jr. It was during this time as a family that Charles was inspired to further pursue a new career. He became a liscensed RN and MSN. What is remarlkable is that when he did accomplish this he was 75. This not only astounded and exceeded his expectations within himself, but it brought on further notice form his colleagues, the Dean and President of Texas Southmost Collage where he attended, and even the local papers spoke of his accomplishments in front page headlines. He established himself in the medical field and was as he used to say thankful to be given the opportunity to pass on his knowledge and guidance through teaching. Not only were his students touched and enlightened by his presence, but through their bond as teacher and student he was also their friend. In appreciation to him his students would often bestow him with such gratitude that they formed a group of students calling themselves "Charlie's Angels", because he gave them the drive to pursue careers in medicine.

The last exciting chapter of his life took him clear across the world to one of his favorite parts of Europe and Italy. He attempted to devote his time to fulfilling not his dream, but the dream of his wife. They relocated to start anew in precious Florence, Italy. Charles was a loving and devoted husband who had a way of being selfless not only to his family, but with everyone he encountered. This was one of his most endearing characteristics that made everyone truly appreciate the manner and graciousness he showed the word.

Suffering from a terminal disease his body grew weak and forced him to withdraw from this final venture, and he returned yet again to the United States.

His stories told of a life filled with excitement and undeniable chance. As he looked back and recounted his favorite moments to those around him he spoke of his involvement with Ernest Hemingway. As writers they consulted in one another. At one point he even saw and met Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, two of Mexico's most famous painters. Meeting famous worldly icons was something Charles became accustomed to, like the time he dined with another of Mexico's beloved performers Juan Gabriel. One thing that is certain is that he never allowed his age to define him or to hold him back from even the most unlikely settings. Once when he was 86 he stood proudly on top of a chair in the middle of a rock show, surrounded by teens and people more than half his age. He cheered the bands on and was just so full of life. That was our father, always happy and proud.

Charles Lee is remembered not only for all of his outstanding achievements or for the light he showed us, but he is remembered by all of his family and loved ones who will carry his memory throughout their own lives. He always spoke about family and its importance and how nobody could change what that meant. It is a bond we will continue to share no matter how far away from one another we are. His children, whom he always spoke of, are Patsy, Annette, Mary, Beverly, Tony, Beverly, Isis, and Charles Jr. he is further remembered by his grandchildren and great grandchildren Jessica, Jerod, Zoe, Zac, and Ariana.