Joseph Thurman Lees' Obituary
NEW SALISBURY, INDIANA - Joseph Thurman Lees, 57, passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2011, of a heart attack, at his home near Corydon, Indiana.
Joe was born on August 28, 1953, in Newark, Ohio. He was raised on the family farm on Canyon Road in Hebron, Ohio; and was a 1972 graduate of Granville High School. While growing up Joe was an active member of the Heath Church of Christ. He united with the church as a result of his baptism on November 17, 1964, during a revival meeting with the late Ira Brandon, the guest speaker, and Ray Linn as host minister. He was particularly involved in youth group activities and was especially known for achievements in local Bible League and national Bible Bowl competitions. Having accepted the call to the ministry at the early age of 10, he studied at the Cincinnati Bible College and Seminary (now Cincinnati Christian University) from 1972-1976. Ordained into the ministry on March 14, 1976, at the Heath Church of Christ, Joe held located ministries in Kentucky, Wyoming, and Indiana. At his death, Joe was a self employed building contractor, and a member and Elder of First Capital Christian Church, in Corydon, Indiana. He also was given membership into the prestigious Order of Kentucky Colonels by then Governor Julian M. Carroll.
Surviving are his wife, Lori Jean Haley Lees of Corydon, Indiana; a daughter, Rebecca Ann Lees Yeary, and her husband, Damon, of Louisville, Kentucky; a son, Joshua Thurman Lees of Winchester, Virginia; his parents, Bennett Ora and Ethel Ruth Warner Lees of Heath, Ohio; three brothers, Kenneth William Lees, and his wife, Diane, of Hebron, Ohio; Charles Denzill Lees, and his wife, Millie, of Lexington, KY; and Raymond Matthew Lees, and his partner, Matthew, of Worthington, Ohio; and a sister, Linda Ruth Lees Billenstein, and her husband, Mark, of Prospect, Ohio. Over 100 aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces, and cousins also survive, along with countless friends.
Joe was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Denzill Oren and Blanche Claggett Lees; his maternal grandparents, Thurman Gilmore (T.G.) and Josephine Woodward Warner; a brother, Bennett Dean Lees, having passed on January 18, 2010; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Burial was held Friday, January 28, 2011, at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Corydon, Indiana, following a funeral service at Corydon’s First Capital Christian Church.
A memorial service in celebration of the life of Joseph Thurman Lees will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 5, 2011 at the Heath Church of Christ, 1331 Chapel Way, Heath, Ohio, with the eulogy being delivered by Ray Linn, minister, retired.
Brief prepared remarks will be delivered by Raymond Lees, Linda Lees Billenstein, Kenny Lees, Rick Brown, Carole Wright, Don Blackburn, Lucy Reid, and Carol Mansfield.
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