Edmond Lester Mee, Jr.

Edmond “Eddie” Lester Mee, Jr., 85, of Midland, peacefully died at Midland Memorial Hospital on May 13, 2015. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Tim Walker officiating.Eddie, beloved husband, dad, grandpa and friend – who never met a stranger – has gone on up to heaven. He courageously cared for Chata, his wife of 61 years, for the past 5 years.He was born on October 25, 1929, in San Angelo, Texas, at Shannon Hospital, to Dr. Eddie L. Mee and Mary Louise Mee. He grew up alongside his loving sister, Abigail (Abby/Bobogail). They were close in age and were each other’s biggest fans. His Irish grandfather, John Mee, lived with the family from 1929 until John’s death in 1954. Eddie attended Santa Rita grade school. Growing up in the 1930’s, he played outside all day, throwing rocks by the Concho River, playing football, raising any kind of animal you could think of (a raccoon, a monkey, roosters, horses, ponies, lambs, bulldogs), and shooting his BB gun. The worst punishment he ever got was to stay in the yard for one week.Eddie attended San Angelo High and was active in FFA, baseball, and football. He played running back for the Bobcats, receiving All District Honors two years in a row, and Honorable Mention. One year, the team traveled to Mexico City, playing football in the Mexican Bullring. Dad was blessed to have, and keep, lifelong friends from San Angelo. To name a few: Red Roberts and Richard Harvey of Midland, Bill and Annette Gill of Red River, NM, and Walter Fraker of Dallas.After high school, Eddie and Abby attended San Angelo Jr. College, where he played football, receiving the first Gus Jones Memorial award. He then went on to UT Austin, graduating with degrees in History and Government.Following college, Eddie joined the U.S. Navy Seabee’s, traveling to California, Newfoundland, and eventually Rhode Island. Navy buddies introduced Eddie to a tall, beautiful, feisty girl from Woodbridge, Connecticut one weekend. Eddie and Audrey Miller dated three months – Dad leaving Rhode Island every chance he got. They married at the Congregational Church, in Woodbridge, on January 16, 1954. After a weekend honey moon to NYC, Eddie left for Guantanamo, Cuba. Upon honorable discharge later that year, he hitchhiked from Florida to Connecticut to pick up his bride. Soon, Eddie gave Audrey the nickname of “Chata.” Eddie and Chata briefly lived in San Angelo and Levelland and then settled in Odessa, Texas for a few years.Eddie worked for Cardinal Chemical, Parkersburg Rig and Reel, and then found where he belonged, working as a financial advisor for Investors Diversified Services (later IDS American Express) until his retirement, 41 years later. While in Odessa, Eddie was active in the Republican Party, The Lions Club, and Toastmasters. In 1964, he was selected to be Chairman for the Barry Goldwater Campaign.In his most important job, as a husband and father of four, he gave his very best, and his family was blessed by his joy for life; his sense of humor; his love of history; and love of country. We learned about great Americans – he loved to pass along his knowledge and interesting stories of men and women of character and integrity. Dad also loved picking up stray animals, bringing them home for us, and mom (mostly the latter), to nurse back to health.We learned some of the most random old songs like, ‘Straighten up and Fly Right”, and wonderful western songs like, “Happy Roving Cowboy” on our yearly vacations to exotic locations. We tent camped with our Headrick cousins at Garner Park and Big Bend, and there was always some exciting drama involved. We camped in New Mexico – Santa Fe, Cloudcroft, and Ruidoso. Often, our packed station wagon held more than our luggage, camping gear, and 4 kids. Somehow, there was always room for 1 or 2 “extras.”Coming home at the latest hour possible, with windows down as we drove through sleepy towns – we sang with great gusto, “Deep in the Heart of Texas” or “Home on the Range”. Sometimes on weekends, one lucky kid would get to accompany Dad, in search of cactus out in the Pecos to Marfa Wilderness. Eddie held down a second job selling various types of cactus – Ocotillo, Yucca, Pin Cushion, and the Century Plant. Our family traveled to see our Butt cousins when they lived in Florida and Colorado, and Dad had more laughs hanging out with his brother and sister in law, Ed and Ellie. We all loved the “Flying Butt Ranch” up in Colorado.Our family joined Grace Lutheran Church, after moving to Midland. Dad and Mom made sure we were there most Sundays and we were encouraged to be involved in the youth group.Eddie and Chata enjoyed traveling to so many places – Dad won numerous trips as a top salesman for IDS. Wonderful, lifelong friends were made on their trips to the Bahamas, San Diego, Disneyworld, and Hawaii. Once they became empty nesters, they had great fun traveling to San Francisco, the Hill Country of Texas, Colorado Springs, Florida, and Ruidoso. They stayed busy with 9 grandchildren – attending graduations, weddings, school awards programs; dance and music recitals; and cheering for them at various sports events.Eddie is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Eddie (veteran U. S. Cavalry) and Mary Mee; In laws, Donald J. Miller (veteran WW1 U. S. Army France) and Hazel T. Miller; brother in law and fellow San Angelo Bobcat Harold Headrick (veteran U.S. Marine Korea); brother in law, Lt. Colonel Ed Butt (veteran U.S. Air Force Vietnam); brother in law, Raymond Miller (veteran U.S. Army Air Corps); niece, Jeri Butt Krafft.He is survived by his wife, Chata; son, Eddie Mee (Juanita) of Carlsbad, NM; daughter, Wendy Mathis (Russell) of Midland; son, Doug Mee (Chrissie) of Midland; daughter, Ellie Hackey (Don) of Hatch, NM; sister, Abby Headrick of Laurel, MS; sister-in-law, Ellie Butt of Colorado Springs, CO; 9 grandchildren, Katie Mathis of Midland, Andy Mee of Hurst, Laura Ferguson (Dillon) of Rapid City, SD, Holly Mee of Hobbs, NM, Mollie Mathis of Lubbock and Midland, Audrey Hackey of Hatch, NM, Cade Hackey of Hatch, NM, John Mee and Ray Mee of Midland, numerous great-grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews.To Eddie’s Partners at The Exchange Club, to his good friends of a few years, or a life time – We thank you for your gift of friendship: Wes Chalfant, Margaret Cloyd, Tom and Dorothy Dollahite, Tom Hale, Richard and Frances Dee Harvey, Bob and Charlena Mathis, Red Roberts, Jean Satterfield Kouns, Johnnye Montgomery, and Herb Blankinship. Please understand if we have left off a name, Eddie treasured knowing you. Our family rejoices in the realization he is with so many of his dearest friends and family now.Thank you to the staff at Midland Memorial Hospital, and Hospice of Midland, for the care and concern you showed Eddie, and our family, these past few weeks. Special thanks to Mom’s caretaker, Ofelia Evans, who lovingly took dad around town this past year and a half. Thank you also to Nurses Unlimited, and Bob Anglin, dad’s friend.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project P.O Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675_ or to a charity of your choice.IT’S THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE…HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU,TILL WE MEET AGAINArrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Midland. Online condolences can be made to www.npwelch.com,