Joseph Lee - Obituary

oseph Wilmer Lee “Joe”, 71, of Edgewater, died of cancer at his home May 7, 2011. He was born March 14, 1940 in Annapolis to the late Edna Marie and Wilmer Ray Lee. He was raised in Mayo and graduated from Annapolis Senior High School in 1958. As a teenager, Joe spent his summers working at Mayo, Triton and Beverly Beaches. He went on to work in sales at Thomas Somerville for 18 years, Montgomery Ward for 5 years and finally the Noland Company for 18 years before retiring in 2002. Retirement brought Joe a new-found passion serving as a reserve police officer. He joined the Annapolis City Police Department in 2002 before entering the Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Reserve Officer Program. He was honored to serve as the Reserve District Commander for the Southern District and won numerous Service, Chief’s and Commander’s Awards for his dedication, devotion and service over the years. In 2006, he received the President’s Call to Service Award for his commitment to strengthening the Nation and for making a difference through volunteer service. In 2011, Joe received a Life Time Award for his continued dedication and service to the Anne Arundel County Police Department as well as an Achievement Award for volunteering 10,000 hours of his time to the citizens of Anne Arundel County as a reserve police officer. Joe was a life-long fan of the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens/Colts. He was a member of Heritage Baptist Church in Annapolis and Community United Methodist Church in Crofton. He enjoyed watching sports, camping and traveling. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Carol Lee of Hanover, PA; two daughters, Cindy Wood and husband Nat of Crofton, and Wendy Brown-Menke and husband James of Pasadena; a son, Creg Brown of Pasadena; seven grandchildren; and a sister, Sylvia Hinson of Annapolis. Friends and family are invited to Joe’s Life Celebration from 6 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday, May 10, at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Services will be held on Wednesday, May 11, at 10 am at Community United Methodist Church, 1690 Reidel Road, Crofton. Interment Mayo United Methodist Church, 1005 Old Turkey Point Road, Mayo. Following the burial, friends and family are invited to gather at Victoria Park Apartments, Chesapeake Room, 87 Stewart Drive, Edgewater. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Anne Arundel Police Reserve Foundation, P.O. Box 1832, Edgewater, MD 21037. An online guestbook is available for your convenience at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com.