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Thomas Minter Lee, Sr.
Thomas Lee, Sr. known to most as Tommy Lee, or Chief Lee, passed away suddenly at the age of 82, on February 19, 2024. Tommy was born in Portsmouth, VA on October 28, 1941 to the late James Edward Lee and Margaret Minter Lee. He was an only child. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He worked at Globe Iron Shipyard, and Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock.
In 1972 Tommy moved to Kill Devil Hills with his family and worked as an electrician on many projects including the former Ramada Inn in Nags Head. He enjoyed fishing, going to the beach, softshell crabbing, fish netting with the Johnsons, and pig pickings in the old neighborhood. In 1984 he started L & L Drywall with his son, Tom Jr. He retired from that business in 2014. After retiring he enjoyed working around the house on a lot of projects and spending time with his grandchildren, serving the fire department, and church, and drinking black coffee. During the 70’s he served as Scout Master for Troop 161 of Kitty Hawk.
Tommy was one of the founding members of Outer Banks Baptist Church. He loved the Lord and one of his passions was serving as a deacon, teaching Sunday school, and doing odd jobs around the church. He also loved helping with the beach service in the summertime with Sail Ministries.
One of the things he was best known for was serving as a fireman with Kill Devil Hills fire department. Chief Lee served as a volunteer for 51 years. He made too many friends to count over the years and served many people on the Outer Banks who were experiencing the worst day of their lives. He loved serving with the fire department and serving all the fireman he considered family. Tommy performed just about every job there was to do around the fire station at one time or another. He received many awards and commendations over his fireman career. Recently he received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Firefighter of the year 2022 (most fire calls 93), 2021 most fire calls 111, and the Mayors Achievement Award for 50 years of service.
Tommy also loved his family and would do anything for them. Tommy is survived by his wife, Brenda Lee who have been together 46 years and married 29 years; his daughter, Sheri Henley (David); son, Tom Lee Jr. (Sandra); daughter, Jo Ellen Kiourtzidis (Vasilios), eight grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
A celebration of life will be held 3:00pm on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 at Nags Head Church (105 West Sound Side Rd.) with a reception following. In lieu of flowers the family asked that you donate to the fire department of your hometown. Condolences may be expressed at www.gallopfuneralservices.com.
Condolences
Sorry for your loss. Prayers to the family.
Dear Brenda and family, Margaret and I were sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Tom was a good friend, a good firefighter, and most of all a good man. I will miss him. May your memories and faith bring you comfort.
Brenda, May our Lord’s comfort and peace abide with you and family, our prayers for you continue. Tommy was a wonderful friend and neighbor to my folks…we thank God to have known him. He will be missed by many.
Brenda & Family, We are sorry for your loss. As friends of the family for many years, we shared many good times together. Serving with him in KDH volunteer fire department was one of my most memorable times. He was always very professional & helpful. You all are in our prayers. May God Bless your family. Kevin, Cindy, & Elliott
Dear Brenda and family. So sorry to hear about Tommy's passing. We have had so many heartwarming times with him over the years. He will be greatly missed in the community and in the fire department family.
Chief may you rest in peace you were always a good man! Heaven gained another great firefighter. We will miss you! I will never forget the day you helped me when I was in need! Rest easy Chief!
To the Lee family. I volunteered with this man for 12 years as a great trainer in the fire department. He was a great leader to teaching all he knew about fire fighting to put out fires and so we could home safe! I will miss him your family has my condolences and prayers and love to your family.
Dear Brenda, Thinking of you and your family during this time... Chief Lee was the backbone of the community and KDHFD, he will surely be missed by all! Tommy was known for his "cool as a cucumber" demeanor during the highest of stress events, making a chaotic scene manageable and bringing comfort to those affected as well as the Emergency Personnel he served with.
Brenda and family We are saddened to hear of Tommy’s passing. We send you all love and light during this difficult time.
Tommy , I feel so blessed to have met you…You took me under your wing and brought me closer to GOD. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you did for me. This Ole Sailor wishes You: 🙏 Fair Winds and Following Seas 🙏
Dear Brenda and family, We pray God comforts you all at this time with His divine peace. We know Tommy is happier now than he has ever been, exploring heights of glory we cannot imagine. Here below, we ache for the severed relationship, and we miss the hand and smile and laughter of our loved one. As you mourn, may God’s love surround you and keep you until we are all reunited never to part again.
So sorry for your loss. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Brenda & Family, So sorry for your loss! Tommy was a good friend especially when Bobby was so ill so many years ago. He will missed by all of us. May God give you all the peace and comfort your need during this time of sorrow.
Dear Brenda and family. So sorry to hear about Tommy's passing. I loved our talks with you and Tom over the summer. I looked forwarded to catching Tom outside working in the yard and he was always open to conversation. We will keep Tom & your family in our prayers.
Brenda, Sheri, Tom and family, I am so sorry for your loss. May the Lord bring you peace and comfort! Love you and I will have you in my prayers during this difficult time!
Brenda we are so sorry for your loss, Tommy was a Great Person and will be missed by all!
Brenda, Tommy was a great example and teacher for us in the Fire Dept. Also a wonderful friend when you both helped take care of Joy’s dad. As we were getting dressed up formally for his Service, we both chuckled, because he would rather have had everyone come in shorts and t-shirts. We have been blessed by both your presences in our lives.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Brenda; Was so sorry to hear about Tommy's passing. He was a good friend and firefighter. He surely will be missed by many. You and your family are in my prayers.
To the Lee family, My condolences on the loss of Tommy, a good father, husband, friend and man. His service to his church and community was exceptional and his fire fighting and department leadership was highly valued. His knowledge, calm, plain speaking demeanor instilled confidence with all who worked with him. May this public servant now rest in peace.
So very sorry to hear of Tommy's passing.. prayer for your family during this difficult time.. Barbara Barker
We were sincerely sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. Sincerely, the family of John Luke. Adel Luke
My deepest sympathies to Tommy's family. What a nice man he was. I met him when he used to walk to the pier every day to get his paper. He walked by my house and always spoke and was just so nice to me. I wish I had known about the service because I sure would have been there.
Sorry for your loss. Prayers to the family.
Dear Brenda and family,
Margaret and I were sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Tom was a good friend, a good firefighter, and most of all a good man. I will miss him. May your memories and faith bring you comfort.
Brenda,
May our Lord’s comfort and peace abide with you and family, our prayers for you continue. Tommy was a wonderful friend and neighbor to my folks…we thank God to have known him. He will be missed by many.
Brenda & Family, We are sorry for your loss. As friends of the family for many years, we shared many good times together. Serving with him in KDH volunteer fire department was one of my most memorable times. He was always very professional & helpful. You all are in our prayers. May God Bless your family. Kevin, Cindy, & Elliott
Dear Brenda and family. So sorry to hear about Tommy’s passing. We have had so many heartwarming times with him over the years. He will be greatly missed in the community and in the fire department family.
Chief may you rest in peace you were always a good man! Heaven gained another great firefighter. We will miss you! I will never forget the day you helped me when I was in need! Rest easy Chief!
To the Lee family. I volunteered with this man for 12 years as a great trainer in the fire department. He was a great leader to teaching all he knew about fire fighting to put out fires and so we could home safe! I will miss him your family has my condolences and prayers and love to your family.
Dear Brenda,
Thinking of you and your family during this time… Chief Lee was the backbone of the community and KDHFD, he will surely be missed by all! Tommy was known for his “cool as a cucumber” demeanor during the highest of stress events, making a chaotic scene manageable and bringing comfort to those affected as well as the Emergency Personnel he served with.
Brenda and family
We are saddened to hear of Tommy’s passing. We send you all love and light during this difficult time.
Tommy , I feel so blessed to have met you…You took me under your wing and brought me closer to GOD.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you did for me.
This Ole Sailor wishes You:
🙏 Fair Winds and Following Seas 🙏
Dear Brenda and family,
We pray God comforts you all at this time with His divine peace. We know Tommy is happier now than he has ever been, exploring heights of glory we cannot imagine.
Here below, we ache for the severed relationship, and we miss the hand and smile and laughter of our loved one.
As you mourn, may God’s love surround you and keep you until we are all reunited never to part again.
So sorry for your loss. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Brenda & Family, So sorry for your loss! Tommy was a good friend especially when Bobby was so ill so many years ago. He will missed by all of us. May God give you all the peace and comfort your need during this time of sorrow.
Dear Brenda and family. So sorry to hear about Tommy’s passing. I loved our talks with you and Tom over the summer. I looked forwarded to catching Tom outside working in the yard and he was always open to conversation. We will keep Tom & your family in our prayers.
Brenda, Sheri, Tom and family, I am so sorry for your loss. May the Lord bring you peace and comfort! Love you and I will have you in my prayers during this difficult time!
Brenda we are so sorry for your loss, Tommy was a Great Person and will be missed by all!
Brenda, Tommy was a great example and teacher for us in the Fire Dept. Also a wonderful friend when you both helped take care of Joy’s dad. As we were getting dressed up formally for his Service, we both chuckled, because he would rather have had everyone come in shorts and t-shirts. We have been blessed by both your presences in our lives.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Brenda; Was so sorry to hear about Tommy’s passing. He was a good friend and firefighter. He surely will be missed by many. You and your family are in my prayers.
To the Lee family,
My condolences on the loss of Tommy, a good father, husband, friend and man. His service to his church and community was
exceptional and his fire fighting and department leadership was highly valued. His knowledge, calm, plain speaking demeanor instilled confidence with all who worked with him. May this public servant now rest in peace.
So very sorry to hear of Tommy’s passing.. prayer for your family during this difficult time..
Barbara Barker
We were sincerely sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy.
Sincerely, the family of John Luke.
Adel Luke
My deepest sympathies to Tommy’s family. What a nice man he was. I met him when he used to walk to the pier every day to get his paper. He walked by my house and always spoke and was just so nice to me. I wish I had known about the service because I sure would have been there.