Lee Royce Lockridge, born on September 16, 1932, in Brownwood, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2024, in Canyon, Texas. A devoted family man and community servant, Lee’s life was marked by dedication to his strong Christian beliefs, his impeccable work ethic and witty humor to invoke laughter.
Lee graduated from Zephyr High School in 1950 where he enjoyed playing basketball, raising 4-H club animals and riding his horses. He married his high school sweetheart, Wanda Merle Claborn, on January 5, 1952. Together, they shared 53 years of marriage and raised two daughters. After Wanda’s passing in 2005, Lee found companionship with Miriam “Mimi” Proctor Adams, whom he married on February 23, 2008, sharing 15 years.
Lee loved to work and was often referred to as the “Energizer Bunny”. As a young man, he loved the animals he raised, then he spent many years building his contracting company, Circle L Services out of White Deer, Texas. In 1990, he and Wanda moved to Lubbock where he worked as the senior supervisor of construction and maintenance for the city water department.
After retirement from the city, Lee kept busy working for H. D. Weaver and MJD Construction. Throughout his life, he received many cards and letters from his employees and co-workers who thanked him for working side-by-side, mentoring, and supporting them through tough jobs.
Lee had a deep faith and was committed to his community. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Lions Club, and he generously volunteered his time with Habitat for Humanity, Aldersgate Church, and the Salvation Army.
In retirement, Lee’s favorite time became the red kettle campaign for the Salvation Army. He loved raising money to assist the homeless and as a bonus, he talked to everyone who would walk in and out of the United Supermarket located at 82nd and Frankford.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Leland and Lois Ellen Lockridge, his twin brother William Boyce Lockridge, his beloved wives Wanda and Miriam, his daughter Melanie Berry, his niece Patricia Stover, nephew Brett Stover, their mother Marian Rogers and her husband Jim.
Lee is survived by his daughter Roxanne Carter and her husband Andy of Canyon, Texas. He leaves behind a legacy through his grandchildren: Maegan Heiserman and her husband Ben of Tecumseh, Kansas; Bren Cowles of Topeka, Kansas; and Calli Ward and her husband Kyle of Amarillo, Texas. He was a proud great-grandfather to Daisie and Cooper Heiserman, Kayden, Macyn, Brentley Cowles, Griffin, and Fletcher Ward. Lee also had four stepdaughters, Kara Adams, Dara Bell, Tamara Adams, all of Lubbock, and Kammie Meyer of Houston, along with numerous bonus grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Lee’s final red kettle fundraiser and memorial service will be held at Aldersgate Church in Lubbock, Texas, on December 21, 2024, at 11 a.m. with Ryan Smallwood officiating. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to The Wanda and Lee Memorial Scholarship at the WTAMU Foundation, Box 60766, Canyon, Texas 79016, or the Salvation Army Red Kettle fund.
