Richard Caldwell "Dick" Lee, 91, of San Angelo, Texas, went to meet his heavenly father Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, in St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 2506 Johnson Street, with Craig Meyers officiating.

Dick was born September 13, 1930, on the family farm near Cross Creek, to Leroy and Eleanor Caldwell Lee.

He enlisted in the Air Force April 5, 1952.

In a five-year period he went from working the fields with a horse-drawn plow to flying a KC-97, an aerial refueling tanker. He and his crew survived a plane crash in Alaska, and he jokingly recalled that they probably set a speed record as they dashed away from the crash site through waist deep snow. He always said "any landing you could walk away from is a good landing."

Dick was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1961, after 9 years of service as a pilot with the rank of First Lieutenant.

He was married to Ruth Dunbar December 26, 1953, and they traveled extensively in the U.S. as well as overseas. Their overseas adventures included Spain, Czechoslovakia, Scotland, Austria and Switzerland.

He enjoyed many adventures during their road trip to Alaska in their motor home and when they pulled a 32-foot recreational vehicle to the Arctic Circle.

Dad's passion for flying continued into his civilian life. He was a private pilot for a company in the northeast and worked in San Antonio, Texas, as an air traffic controller. He was a member of the Confederate Air Force, now the Commemorative Air Force, for several years and loved the old war birds. He particularly enjoyed flying a plane to Pennsylvania and Arizona with his family aboard.

His son, Richard, remembers working with his dad at Lee Recreational Vehicles and Mobile Home Sales from 1968 to 1983. He said he learned work ethic and honesty from his dad.

There was even some time for fun, too, Richard recalled, especially during their participation in the river raft races on the Concho.

Dad was an active member of the Wool Capitol Region Antique Car Club of San Angelo. He drove his 1941 Packard in many parades and attended many car shows. He completed three long antique car races across America in the Great Race with his daughter, Becky Wilson and his granddaughter, Kelly McClendon as his navigators. His daughter, Nancy was the chase crew and cheering squad. The Great Race gave us so many incredible memories of time spent with dad that we still laugh about those good times, said Becky.

Dad was a good provider and loved his family. He attended countless band concerts, halftime shows and basketball games. He helped his children and grandchildren maintain their cars, and he would do anything to keep the love of his life, Mom, happy. He was a great man from a great generation and he will be missed.

Survivors include three children, Richard S. Lee and wife Judy of Austin, Texas; Becky Wilson and husband Alan of San Angelo; and Nancy Hannifin of Austin. Grandchildren include Chris Lee, Dawn Pitts, Kelly McClendon, Dusty Organ, Sarah Malone; as well as nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 57 years, Ruth Dunbar Lee; and his much loved Pekingese, Tiger.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Dick's many caregivers, Kindred at Home and Kindred Hospice as well as Visiting Angels, Lyndale and Regency House. Many thanks to friends for keeping the family in their prayers.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests planting a tree or contributing to a charity of one's choice.

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

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