Lee Haygood Obituary

Lee Gordon Haygood, 94, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025, in Westminster, Colorado, with his daughter, Tracy Lee Lamberth, by his side. Born on March 20, 1931, in Jacksonville, Florida, Lee lived a full and vibrant life marked by devotion to family, faith, service, and a deep love for the outdoors.

Lee graduated from Landon High School in Jacksonville before attending the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he earned a degree in Animal Husbandry. Following his education, he served honorably in the U.S. Army as a Military Police officer from 1954 to 1957.

His professional life spanned close to five decades in the retail industry. Starting in 1957, Lee provided for his young family starting out as a Meat Market Manager with Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., in Jacksonville, Florida, eventually rising, over the course of 21 years, to an executive position in Atlanta, Georgia. He helped shape the company's growth and success during some of their most profitable years. From 1979-1989, he ventured into entrepreneurship by owning and operating Pac-N-Save Warehouse Foods in Durango and Cortez, Colorado. Tragically, his wife, Jane Elizabeth Haygood, passed away during this time in 1986 at the young age of 53. His passion for business and community continued as he and his 2nd wife, Susan Haygood, went on to own two Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchises in Sedona and Phoenix, Arizona, from approximately 1991 until his retirement in 2001.

Lee's life was enriched by his deep faith and active participation in several Presbyterian congregations throughout his life including First Presbyterian Church in Durango. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Jacksonville, Florida. A devoted Christian, Lee believed firmly in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jane Elizabeth Haygood; his parents, Everett Austin Haygood, Sr. and Adalee Warner Haygood; his brother, Everett Austin Haygood, Jr.; and his granddaughter Brooke Elizabeth Kennedy.

Lee is survived by his children: Michael Leonard Haygood (wife Ann); Tracy Lee Lamberth (husband Tim); and Elizabeth (Betsy) Haygood Manninen (husband Scott). He leaves behind a legacy of love through his grandchildren: Meredith Haygood Calvert (husband Graham); Austin McMillan Haygood (wife Amy); Jordan Kennedy Bandelier (husband Andre); Kelly Kennedy McSparin (husband Jan); and Liza Jane Manninen. His great-grandchildren include Graham Carr Calvert; Emory Adele Calvert; Piper Elizabeth Calvert; Charlotte Hayes Calvert; Elizabeth Jean Haygood; Everett Camden Haygood; August Carter Bandelier; Quinn Curtis Bandelier; and Hadley Joan McSparin.

A passionate outdoorsman throughout his life, Lee found joy camping, hunting, hiking, boating, and fishing. He loved learning about the Native Tribes of all the regions of the country he lived in; he enjoyed music but particularly big band and cool jazz artists; he was a lifelong learner and reader-most notably biographies, history and westerns; and he loved his dogs!

The mountains of Colorado, however, held a special place in Lee's heart. He spent many days exploring the 4-WD backroads of Southwest Colorado and eventually dug deeper into the wilderness on horseback for both hunting and pack trips in the rugged terrain of the San Juan's Weminuche Wilderness. Having lived in both Sedona, Arizona, and Ramah, New Mexico, he continued his backcountry exploration in the Four Corners area of the American Southwest. Many cherished memories were made at the family cabin at Electra Lake in Durango, Colorado, (1984-1994) then later aboard his houseboat on Lake Powell, where he explored its vast beauty with family enjoying life on the water, boating to favorite sandy nooks and fishing in his favorite canyons.

Lee will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather-a man who worked tirelessly to provide for his family while generously sharing his time and passions with them. His strength of character, dedication to faith and family, and enduring love for nature and wide, open spaces leave an indelible mark on all who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him and continue to inspire others to find solace and peace in the great outdoors. A private family memorial service is planned for the future.