Bishop Funeral Home
February 8, 2015
Submitted by: Carol Spear Rice

Newell Dean Lee, 76, of Cabiness, Oklahoma passed away on September 27, 2024 in McAlester, Oklahoma. Family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday September 30, 2024, at Bishop Funeral Service and Crematory. A funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at Bishop Chapel of Memories. Terry Brinkley will be officiating with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy Honors Team. Internment will be at White Chimney Cemetery in Stuart, Oklahoma. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dustin Hull, Jason Lindley, Andy Lee, and Chad Childears. Newell Dean Lee was born on August 3, 1948 in Cabiness, Oklahoma to Wilson Alford "Bill" Lee and Hazel Wilson Lee. Dean attended Stuart Public Schools. Following he went into service for the US Navy as a radioman aboard the USS Arlington during Vietnam. He attended Eastern Oklahoma State College, Conners State College, and USAO Chickasha. He married the love of his life, Mary Lawrence on December 31, 1970 in Stuart, Oklahoma. He served as a Deacon at Sharon Baptist Church in Chickasha, Oklahoma and a member of Haywood Baptist Church. Dean enjoyed shooting sports, golf, and watching sports. Particularly OSU, OU, and the OKC Thunder. As a younger man he was a private pilot and enjoyed flying. He loved singing and participating in the church choir. He took special joy from fixing or repairing things for others. He was known informally as "911 Dean," by his neighbors. As he always told his son "I can mend anything but a broken heart". Upon his return from service in Vietnam he served on the McAlester Police Department until finding his true calling in sales and marketing with Factor, a division of WR Hess company of Chickasha, Oklahoma for many years. Most important of all he was a devout follower of Jesus Christ and a spiritual leader in his home and church. Dean's life was marked by service, dedication, and the kind of welcoming spirit that always made him feel like an old friend to anyone. Dean is survived by his wife, Mary Lee of the home; son, Evan Lee and wife, Michelle of Sachse, Texas; a granddaughter, Alice Lee of Sachse, Texas; brother, Paul Lee and wife, Peggy of Shawnee, Oklahoma; sister, Arta Lee and husband, Bryan Smith of University Place, Washington; brother and sister in-law, Doug Hull and wife, Rhonda Hull of Cabiness; sister in-law, Wanda Been of Cabiness; sister in-law, Pam Lawrence of McAlester; nieces and nephews, Chad Childears, Julie Lee, Andy Lee, Jason Lindley, Duston Hull, Cameron Ridenour, Leslie Hayes, and many other great nieces and nephews, other family members and friends. Dean was preceded in death by Parents, Bill and Hazel Lee; sisters Gerry Lavonne Lee, and Billie Bell Lee; a niece Lori Childears; father and mother in-law, Gilbert and Wilma Lawrence; brother in-law, Dirk Been. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association via Alz.org. The family wishes to thank Dr. Lewis and the staff at McAlester Regional Hospital, Celma Sanders, Heartland Hospice, and the wonderful staff at Belfaire McAlester.