Delbert C. Lee Jr.

On October 18, 2025 Delbert C Lee, Jr passed away peacefully at his home with his loving wife of 30 years, Clarita, after having repeated prayers for the dying for him, sending him off knowing his beloved son “Pete” would be there to greet him and take him to the Father. Del was 92 years old (and 11 months he would remind us) at the time of his death. He was predeceased by his parents Delbert C. Lee, Sr and Kathleen Lee and by his son Delbert C. Lee,III, known as “Pete”. His second son Michael D. Lee survives him.

Del was proud to be a veteran of the United States Air Force in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the Korean War era. He flew in the SAC bomber airplane which was so large other aircraft were displayed beneath it in the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. His specialty was the radar for both flight and bombing. He was happy to say his only experience with bombing was target practice and target competitions for which the aircraft received awards. !

Eventually Del retired as a civilian from Wright Patterson Air Force Base Logistics Command with 30 years of combined service as a computer specialist. While working near the end of his career, he traveled as a part of the International Logistics Command to teach and support foreign country air force computer personnel with applications used to acquire parts for the US aircraft they had bought. He traveled to the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Tunisia. Clarita once traveled to Tunisia with Del in the same capacity although the all male Tunisian staff wasn’t especially happy with a woman coming. By the time she left, though, she was accepted and dubbed “clever” a high compliment there.

In retirement Del joined VFW 3383 and became a member of their Honor Guard. For many years as a part of the Honor Guard he participated in military burial rites for veterans at local cemeteries. Del was also proud of his Native American heritage. While still in the service he was stationed in South Dakota for a time. There he became acquainted with the Lakota Sioux people and spent a great deal of his free time on their reservation. This was a time when local establishments still had No Indians Allowed signs in their businesses. Locally, after retirement, he joined the Native American Indian Veterans Center to expand his knowledge and acquaintance with others having Native American heritage. Eventually he was named Matosa (pronounced Mah toe’ sha), meaning Red Bear, by a member of the Lakota Sioux.

Del enjoyed singing in the choir with Clarita at Immaculate Conception Parish in Kenmore. They made good friends in the choir and the congregation and missed being able to participate during COVID and afterwards with health issues. Del was also known for his sense of humor. He could be quite silly and loved getting laughs out of people especially Clarita… and Khaila, our caregiver. They had a special relationship. She could always get Del to eat when Clarita couldn’t. We had our 1-year anniversary with Khaila taking care of us in September. We celebrated with chocolate peanut butter ice cream from Durbin’s. On the last day that Del could eat Khaila got him to eat a half of breakfast. But Clarita got him to eat lunch…chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during the visitation at Silva-Hostetler Funeral Home,1199 Wooster Rd W, Barberton, on October 24, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Following the visitation, a funeral service will be held, beginning at 7:00 PM. Private burial will take place at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.