Arthur E. Lee, Jr.

Arthur E. Lee, Jr., 93, former Tulsa County Sheriff, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, in Tulsa, OK. A native of Wetumka, OK, born on Friday, January 8, 1926, to Arthur E. Lee, Sr. and Florence (James) Lee, Art was the youngest of five children, all boys. Art married the love of his life, Barbara Ann (Phillips) Lee and they were married 56 years, when she died on Friday, September 14, 2018. Art was proud to have served as one of our Nation's finest, as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps in WWII, assigned to the 4th Marine Division, 1st Battalion, 25th Regiment, in the Pacific campaign of Iwo Jima, where he was a rifle sharp shooter, was wounded with shrapnel in his shoulder, and the only men left in his unit still there from the start, were him and his Commander; the others had all been wounded or killed. Like many of our brave heroes, for years, Art didn't talk about his war experiences. That changed, when his granddaughter asked him about it, for a book report. He told the story about after hearing the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor on his buddy's car radio, he tried to enlist, even though he was only 17 and in high school. His parents wouldn't grant him permission, since their other four sons were already serving, so he had to wait until he was 18 and in his senior year to enlist. After his discharge, he returned to Wetumka and finished his high school education. Art stated that he believed his war experiences created a deep respect for life in him, that shaped him as a future law enforcement officer. He started his law enforcement career with the Norman Police Department, and also served in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. In 1959, he became a Tulsa County Deputy Sheriff, beginning an upward ascent through the department, until he eventually was appointed Sheriff, in 1988, where he finished out the term of then-Sheriff, Frank Thurman, upon his retirement. Over the span of his long law enforcement career, Art never had to fire a gun at anyone -- "just warning shots, back when that was acceptable." He was respected by all that knew him, worked for and with him, and he passed that along, by treating all his employees, coworkers and prisoners with dignity and respect. Art retired from the TCSO in 1989, following an unsuccessful run for the office. Art was a kind, caring, benevolent man, and through the years, he was involved with numerous charitable organizations, including one close to his heart, Sertoma, whose mission and passion is to improve the quality of life through education and support for those at risk, or impacted by hearing loss. Art is survived by his daughter, Kim Beair and her husband, Brian; granddaughter, Kara Beair Butler and her husband, Grant; grandson, Brian Lee Beair; and great-grandchildren, Madelin, Eden, Mac, and Eisla. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; 4 brothers; and a lifetime of fellow law enforcement officers, coworkers and friends. Art will be greatly missed in the days ahead, but his spirit and memories will live on within each of us, because we were privileged to have him in our lives. Service 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2019 St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Tulsa, OK Interment at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, OK Moore's Eastlawn Chapel 918-622-1155

Arthur E. Lee, Jr.

January 8, 1926 - April 2, 2019