Roy Alton Lee

Roy Alton Lee, 93, Topeka, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Alton was born May 24, 1931, to Ralph and Alice Lee of White City, Kansas. Alton graduated from White City High School in 1949. His early years were spent helping his father work on the Farmland he rented, working in the gas station his father built with the help of one of his sisters and doing odd jobs to help support the family. Alton’s dream was to go to college, and he accomplished his dreams by attending Kanas City Junior College, Kansas State Teachers’ College in Emporia for his bachelor's and master’s degrees, and earned his PhD at the University of Oklahoma. He taught at positions in White City High School, Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma, and University of South Dakota. While visiting his sister in Kansas City in 1962, Alton met Marilyn Kurzava and after a short courtship they were married on October 19, 1963, at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Kansas City. Their first child, Michael, was born in Oklahoma City. The family moved to Vermillion, South Dakota, where the family was blessed with two more children, Edward and Deborah. They would stay in Vermillion for all the children to graduate high school. Alton was an accomplished author, publishing 18 books and many articles. He won Teacher of the Year several times and was very involved in research and giving presentations at historical conventions. In 1996 the couple retired to Manhattan, Kansas to be close to their children and so Alton could be close to his hometown as he never forgot the roots from which he came. The couple spent early years of their retirement first touring all of the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, and then expanding to Europe and other foreign countries, including South and Central America, Scandinavia, British Isles, Russia, China, and Ukraine because he was interested in learning and understanding various cultures of the world. In 2021, because of failing health, the couple moved to Topeka, Kansas to be closer to their adult children and families. Alton Lee was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael; parents, Ralph and Alice Lee; sisters, Thelma Bowen, Ruth Lee, Lola Lewis, Lois Bauer, Wilma Lee; an infant brother, John Dale; and niece, Cindy Price. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Marilyn; son, Edward (Tonia); daughter, Deborah; grandchildren, Braden Woodson, Krista Spencer (Justin), Justin White, David Schumann; great-grandchildren, Zane Vargas, RaeAnn Spencer, and Enslee Spencer; and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, December 13, 2024, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka KS 66614. Inurnment will be at a later date in White City, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Church, or The House at Midland Care, or St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center and sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com

Roy Alton Lee

May 24, 1931 - December 7, 2024