Fred Dean Lee, age 80, of Tampa, Florida, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of December 28, 2024. He was born on October 28, 1944, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
He served in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1963 and earned the rank of Airman 3rd Class.
On August 27, 1977, Fred married Toni Kathleen Lee (Naas) in Tampa, Florida.
Fred worked for 30 years as a dock supervisor for Smalley Transportation and Super Transport.
In early 2018, Fred was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that had already spread to his brain. After multiple radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy treatments, the cancer in Fred’s body never returned, and he passed away (almost seven years after his initial diagnosis) without a recurrence.
In the end, Fred fought cancer and won.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Franklin Lee and Doris Swanner Lee; his brother, United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Lewis Franklin Lee, Jr.; and his stepbrother United States Army Private 1st Class Embry Vance Cox.
Fred is survived by his wife of more than 47 years, Toni Kathleen Lee; his sons, Dr. Christopher Dean (Rebecca) Lee and John Frederick Lee; his stepsons, David Scott (Rhonda) VanValkenburgh and Richard Charles (Tammy) VanValkenburgh III; his six grandchildren (Maximilian, Eric, Tanya, Joel, David Jr., Jill); and many great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM at CityLife Church (8411 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33614). If you are unable to attend in-person, you may attend via Zoom at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that a donation be made to Tap Cancer Out at the following link: https://wecan.tapcancerout.
Dear family, knowing you all of these years and loving you and Fred, my heart aches for you all. God is able to give you strength through all of this. Praying for you all. My precious friend Toni, I love you dearly. May God continue to comfort and strengthen you.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family Toni. Fred was always a sweet and kind man with a heart of gold. God needed his angel to come home.
Sending love to the entire Lee family during this difficult time.
Dear Toni, my heart goes out to you and your family. I know the Lord will comfort and strengthen you.
Having just lost my husband right before Christmas of last year, I will tell you, the Lord held me in His arms of love through it all. My prayers continue to surround you and all your loved ones.
I love you, dear friend, and I’m grateful we reconnected after so many years. God bless you always!