David Lerain Lee's Obituary
Gentle, Kind & Loving
David L. Lee, Papa David, papa, grandpa those names bought joy to his heart. The gentle and kind man who was known to be very perceptive, witty and clever yet with a lot of love. A son, a father, a grandfather and a friend.
David was born in Pittsburgh, Mississippi on September 02, 1931 to the late Jesse Lee, Sr. and Rosie Hicks Lee. David was the third child of six children, four of which preceded him in death, Ernest Lee, Jesse L. Lee, Lottie Jackson and Rosemary Tinsley.
David relocated to California from Arkansas with his father, mother, and siblings in 1935 as they found new beginnings in the Central Valley in the small farming town of Chowchilla, California.
David and his siblings accepted Christ in their life at an early age and were members of Second Baptist Church located in Madera, California.
David graduated from Chowchilla High School, Class of 1950 where he was a member of the baseball team.
David married Dorothy Porter in October 1952. He was a loving and proud father to his children, Reginald and Marsha.
David was drafted in 1952 to the United States Army and trained at Fort Ord in Monterey, California. Upon completion of training, he was transferred to Fort Lewis Washington. While there he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. This medal is awarded to service members who served honorably during a designated time period of which a “national emergency” had been declared during a time of war or conflict. David served during the Korean War era, the National Defense Service Medal is the oldest “service medal” in use by the United States Armed Forces. After serving in the United States Army in 1955, David returned to Oakland, California and began working for the US Postal service.
In the late 1950’s, during the Doo-Wop era, David sang along with his late brother Jesse, the late Cleve O’Dear and female vocalist Denise Perrier, the group the Intervals. The Intervals a local group appeared throughout the Bay Area, most often at the California Hotel and Esther’s Orbit Room located in Oakland.
The Intervals also made an appearance on the Steven Allen Show. They recorded three records, most popular, Side Street, I Still Love That Man and I Envy These Things. After six years the group parted in the early 60’s and returned to their perspective careers.
In the early 60’s,David relocated to the South Bay residing in Los Gatos and the San Jose area. He began working at the San Jose Airport as a Skycap for PSAS Airline Services. After working for PSAS, David saw an opportunity where he could help others have a better quality of life. David along with two other employees decided to form their own skycap company. In the 1980 Skycap Services, Inc. was founded at the San Jose Airport as the exclusive baggage company to all airlines. David retired after 35 years of service. David was always extending himself to helping others and willing to listen to those who needed advise. He was known as kind person with a big heart.
David he loved golfing, the San Francisco Giants, and the 49’ers. He also enjoyed watching the news and old western movies. He loved fast cars.
David leaves to cherish and honor his memory, son, Reginald (Cathy), daughter, Marsha (Royce) (4) grandchildren, Kenneth, Randall, Kristopher and Mallory. Brother, Arthur G. Lee (Doris) Sister-in –law, Selina Rigmaiden Lee, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and extended family members.
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