Gene E. Lee

Gene E. Lee

Gene E. Lee, 80, died at his home in Riverton July 17, 1997. Funeral services were July 23, 1997, at Davis Funeral Home, with the Rev. Earl Detwiler officiating. Burial was in the Mountain View Cemetery.

He was born Jan. 20, 1917, at Burton, Neb., to Gladys (Wiley) Lee and Louis Lee. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression by planting trees in the Farson/Eden area and he helped construct the rock buildings which are now part of Guernsey State Park. He attended Wyoming CCC Boys reunion in Sheridan each year. After the CCCs, he started a trucking business which helped build roads, airports and the Igloo Ammunition Dump in South Dakota for the war effort.

On May 25, 1940 he married Georgine Morehouse at the Morehouse family home in Burton. Later he owned and operated the Evergreen Bulk Plant in 1949. During that time he also worked for Wasson Chevrolet in Lusk. In 1951, he purchased the Chrysler Garage in Riverton. Later he worked as an automobile salesman for Chopping Chevrolet until he bought land and built an independent gasoline service station on south Federal Boulevard. He also became a franchised dealer for Renault, American Motors, Amphicar, Studebaker and Dodge cars.

He was a member of United Methodist Church, a lifetime member of Elks BPOE Lodge number 1693, Fraternal Order of Odd Fellows, Nostalgia Antique Car Club and the Golden Roadrunners Dance Club. He enjoyed visiting with friends and business associates including many on the Wind River Reservation. His lifelong hobby was collecting antique cars and, together with his wife, owned and managed the "Remember When Museum" in Riverton.

Survivors include his wife; daughters Sharon Starks (Mrs. Earl Starks) of Rock Springs, Sandie Bonsell of Austin, Texas, and Jim Bonsell of Billings, Mont. and Teresa Yates (Mrs. Ben Yates) of Carmichael, Calif.; grandchildren Timothy and David Starks of Rock Springs, Dr. Shawn Bonsell of Durham, N.C., Dr. Tiffany Bonsell of Sloansville, NY. Danielle Quinton (husband of Mike) of San Jose, Calif., and Anissa Yates of Sacramento, Calif.; brothers Jack Lee and wife Marge of Wheatland; Bob Lee and wife Gertrude of Silver Creek, Neb.; sister Maxine Bishop and husband Vern of Hoquim, Wash.; sister-in-law Gladys Lee of Bakersfield, Calif.; great grandchildren Ashley and Jordan Starks of Mountain View; Daniel Starks of Rock Springs; and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Doug Lee and sister, Norma Deitchler

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records