Thomas Michael Lee, 69, beloved Husband, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on December 13, 2016, after several years of declining health most likely due to Agent Orange exposure. He entered this world on November 15, 1947 in Richmond, IN born to Leon and Josephine Lee. He is survived by his wife of 39 years Glenda Lee, niece Trina Roberts (Terry), brother-in-law Jack Garentino, nephew Doug Garentino, mother-in-law Eleanor Cooper, friends and his two newest kitties Lily and Zoey who were adopted from Help The Animals for his birthday in November. Preceding him in death are his parents, sisters Mary Catherine Boga and Margaret Ann Garentino, and nephew Anthony Garrett. Tom grew up a part of the St. Andrew Catholic Community, attended St. Andrew School, was a 1965 graduate of Richmond High School, and also attended Chabot Community College in Hayward CA after his military service. Tom served in the US Navy as an AME3 from 1965 through 1968 with Attack Squadron 113 out of Lemoore CA. The squadron was stationed aboard the USS Enterprise in the waters of Vietnam and also spent time in the North China Sea off the coast of North Korea during the Pueblo crisis. Tom met his wife Glenda just before Christmas of 1975 while they were both living in Oakland, CA and members of the Northern California Dart Association. Two years later they were married, and in 1981 they returned to his hometown of Richmond to live. After returning to Richmond, Tom worked at Sonny's Standard Service for a couple of years before taking ownership of The Liquor Mart West. After selling the store in 1992, he worked in sales for several businesses before retiring on disability in 2005 from Richmond Hardware. Tom was a member of American Legion Post 65 and VFW Post 1108 and enjoyed participating in the golf and pool leagues before his health issues forced him to quit. Tom loved animals and nature, mushroom hunting in the spring, fishing, playing golf and pool, reading detective mysteries and political thrillers, and Notre Dame and Oakland Raider football.
A celebration of Toms life will be held on Monday (December 19, 2016) from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. in Riggle - Waltermann Mortuary. A prayer service will follow at 6:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial contributions be made to Help The Animals Inc., P.O. Box 117 Richmond, IN 47375.