Lee Allen Burgess

Lee Allen Burgess passed away on November 23, 2021. Lee was born on October 18, 1935 to John C. and Clara “Faye” (Allen) Burgess at home in Harper County, Kansas. He was one of five children and grew up on the family farm north of Attica. As a young man he loved to hunt, fish and trap. He met his future wife of 67 years, Wilma DeLee Yocam, in the sixth grade. After graduating from Attica High School, they were married in 1954, moved to Wichita in 1957, and then to Derby, KS in 1979 where they raised two spirited daughters. He spent his career as a tool and dye maker, working the last 20 years at Electromech Technologies where he retired in 2004. He was respected by his co-workers and admired for his strong work ethic.

In 1958, Lee was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years in Korea in the 1st Missile Battalion, 42nd Artillery Unit. He drove a truck hauling a live Honest John missile through the narrow mountain roads patrolling the DMZ. Lee’s love of country stemmed from a rich American heritage including an ancestor on the Mayflower, patriots in the American Revolution and homesteaders ranging from Connecticut to Indiana and Kansas.

Lee was a loyal husband, beloved father and Pops, Raider’s fan, weather predictor, avid fisherman, marble collector, cherry pie connoisseur and gardener extraordinaire. Family was his pride and joy and he and Wilma made multiple road trips each year to visit their grandchildren in Colorado.

Lee is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Lois Willson, Naomi Gammill and John Burgess, Jr. He is survived by his wife Wilma of Derby, KS; two daughters Theresa (Stan) Coker of Louisville, CO, Michelle Burgess of Bel Aire, KS; two grandchildren Kelsey Coker of San Francisco, CA and Reed Coker of Keller, TX; sister Jessie (Keith) Smith of Attica, KS; sister-in-law Margaret (Jim) Wright of Germantown, TN and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Smith Mortuary, 1415 North Rock Road, Derby, Kansas with Pastor Vic Calcote officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Woodlawn United Methodist Church designated to the Soldiers Overseas Care Packages Memorial and may be sent to Smith Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Rd, Derby, KS 67037.