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Ward Lee Obituary
He grew up in Animas City and loved to camp on Animas Mountain at a young age. He developed Sepsis at the early of 7 and the doctor told his parents that he needed to run it out. He soon moved to Marvel with his grandparents Annie and Fred Barlow and one day Lawrence Huntington invited him to come play baseball on a dirt field. He fell in love with the game immediately. When he moved back to Durango, Ward often walked to the ballpark located at the current site of TBK Bank in the morning and stayed all day so he could play pick-up games and walk home at night. His love of the game followed him through High School to Mesa State College and Colorado State College. He often said the game of baseball saved his life.
He met the love of his life Rita Gallavan as freshmen at Durango High School. They were inseparable from the day they met and they were married December 20th, 1952. They were truly soulmates and each other's true loves. This past December, they would have been married for 70 years.
Ward and Rita had 5 daughters. When Ward was at Colorado State College, his team went to the College World Series in Omaha Nebraska. He was drafted by the Phillies but gave up his dream to return to Durango to his love Rita and his 3 daughters at that time. He would then continue his love of baseball by coaching it, and the game of life, which he did for over 40 years. During this time Ward taught at Miller Jr High School, World Geography, Colorado History, and Environmental Living (Including Hunter Safety).
Ward started a victory garden during WWII with the help of his grandparents and became a Master Gardener. Every year since growing a huge garden and canning the entire harvest. He loved hunting, fishing, and mining for gold. He was a special man with an uncanny ability to teach a lesson. Ball players and students would come by, call the house, or see him in downtown Durango and let him know how much that he influenced their life. He left a legacy larger than life and we are all proud to call him our dad and papa.
Ward was preceded in death by his parents George and Gladys Lee, his wife Rita Lee, daughter Virginia A. Tardy, grandparents Fred and Annie Barlow, sister Virginia A. Luzar, and brother Wayne Lee.
He is survived by children: Rita Wardine Lee, Durango CO, Cynthia Marie Compton (Dennis), Grand Junction CO, Lisa Lee Pearce (Gary), Flagstaff AZ, Karen A Lee-Fischbach (Wes), Roseville CA; Son-In-Law: Jim Tardy, Omaha NE; Grandchildren: Benjamin George Compton (Natalie), Grand Junction CO, Eleanor Marie Schrader (Matthew), Omaha NE, James Christopher Tardy (Sarah), Omaha NE, Christopher Ellis Compton (Kristi), Fort Worth TX, Casey Lee Fischbach, San Diego CA; Great-grandchildren: Emery James Tardy, Amalia Paul Schrader, Annie Louise Tardy, Liam Ray Compton, Austin Lee Compton, and Cole Lee Compton; Sister-In-Law, Carol Lee, as well as many extended family members.
A Rosary will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 7:00pm at St Columba Catholic Church, 1800 E. 2nd Ave., Durango. On Saturday, February 11, 2023: A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00pm, with burial to follow Mass at Greenmount Cemetery and his family will have an informal "meet & greet" from 3:00-5:30pm at the Durango Community Recreation Center, adjacent to the Ward Lee baseball field. For those unable to attend services on Saturday, there will be streaming available at www.hoodmortuary.com/obituaries/ward-lee.
His family is also planning to hold a "Celebration of Life" for Lee at the Ward Lee baseball field sometime this summer.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ward Lee
Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.
Rusty Tidwell
March 6, 2023
Condolences to the Lee family, I know he will be missed by many, I was truly saddened to hear of his passing. He was a great teacher. Don´t know that I´ll ever forget him.
Gina Farschman
March 3, 2023
I remember Mr. Lee well. Well done Sir - you've earned your reward.
Margaret Copeland
February 26, 2023
Lisa and Ward family--so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I took the Environmental Living class from him at Miller Jr. High--he was a great teacher and among those I credit for turning me into a teacher!
Harold Wilson
February 22, 2023
Ward Lee was truly one of the best men I've ever known. He taught me and hundreds of other boys the finer points of baseball, but more than that, though we may not have realized it at the time, he taught us all many valuable life lessons. Thank you, Mr. Lee, you were one of the greats. Condolences to the family. He will be missed by many.
Tim Brown
February 19, 2023
From the first memory I have of you at about 5yrs. Dad pulled up to your house with Karen doing gymnastics in the front yard and your welcoming embrace as a sign of family. And through our last visit a few years ago you were always a caring friend and coach. Always. My condolences to the family. I wish there were a cooperstown for small town coaches who can be huge influences on other aspects of life. God bless all the Lees for what they have been to me and so many. Your last words of wisdom to me were " quit worrying and take your wife fishing". Thanks Ward, I'll think of you at Vallecito or in the san juan somewhere this yr.
Karen Milligan Hanson
February 14, 2023
Mr. Lee was one of my favorite teachers at MJH back in 77-78. His support of my Dad was never forgotten. My thoughts and prayers with his family.
Fred Pope
February 14, 2023
Prayers to the family. I always thought the world of Mr. Lee. He was a mentor to me and I know to alot of other boys in Durango.
Skip and Terri Garcia
February 13, 2023
Sending love to his family. Ward and Rita were both wonderful people.
Carl Potter
February 12, 2023
Coach Lee was an inspiration to us all. Especially those of us who he taught the art of baseball.
John Walkington
February 12, 2023
Ward was my little league coach in about `58. I remember him as a great guy and inspirational leader.
Don Wilson
February 9, 2023
Without Ward Lee, I don't know if I would love the game of baseball like I do and have for a lot of years. He taught sportsmanship and respect for the game, respect for your teammates and opponents. Who knows how many hundreds of boys and girls he taught many, many life values. Thank you Ward Lee for teaching me the right way to play baseball.
Carol Allan
February 9, 2023
The Lees were like my second parents. I spent many nights there with the girls having fun. I loved them a lot, and I am so sorry for your loss. Both my brothers played baseball with Ward and I had him as a teacher at Miller Junior High. Love to the whole Lee family.
Alice Thompson
February 9, 2023
I´m saddened to learn of Ward´s passing. He & my husband Bobby Thompson were lifelong friends, and we enjoyed spending time with Ward & Rita.
Condolences to the family; Ward will be a hard act to follow!!
Angie McClung
February 9, 2023
My deepest condolences to the family. He was a wonderful teacher and a wonderful person. I pray for God's comfort for you all at this very difficult time.
Kathleen koziol
February 8, 2023
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
John Huffman
February 8, 2023
I spent many summers coaching baseball with Ward. I also enjoyed fishing with him and cutting wood for campgrounds! He had a great sense of humor and was always ready for a good practical joke. He was my mentor and I owe a lot to him! He will be greatly missed. My condolences to Wardine, Cindy, Lisa, and Karen. I hope they remember me. John Huffman
Phil Trujillo
February 8, 2023
I played Old Timers, for this awesome coach, early sixties, for years, always a classy person, had a lot of discussions and talks thur the later years. R.I.P my friend, My condolences to the Lee familyPhil Trujillo
Phil trujillo
February 8, 2023
Mr Lee, Rest In Peace, I have known Ward Lee since Playing Old Timer late fifties early sixties. Always a class act, was a hell of a coach, had a lot of discussions, talks, through the later years. R. I. P my friendPhiltrujillo
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