Stephen “Bruce” Lee
Stephen “Bruce” B. Lee, 74 of Zanesville, beloved husband, father and grandfather died Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Genesis Morrison House Hospice following a brief illness. He was born Tuesday, May 30, 1950, the son of Norwood W. Lee and Grace A. (Boerngen) Lee, and married Karen (Diveley) Lee on Tuesday, July 5, 2005.
Bruce was born on the United Stated Army Base in Osaka, Japan. He graduated from Mattoon High School where he received a National Merit Scholarship. Bruce graduated from Eastern Illinois University with degrees in Entomology and Botany receiving his teaching certificate. He served his country for six years as a member of the Illinois National Guard. He taught science and biology for many years and owned an electronic rental and vending business in Indiana.
Bruce worked as a Certified Financial Planner for First National Bank and Unizan Bank until he started a financial planning business with his closest friends. Later the company was purchased by The Community Bank of Zanesville.
Bruce was very community oriented and performed work with the Kiwanis Club of Zanesville where he served as Lieutenant Governor, President and Secretary, for many years. He received the Hixon Fellow Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kiwanis Club and was inducted in the Kiwanis Club Hall of Fame.
He was President of Carr Center Board and loved working with the Special Riders Program and his special friend, Mark. Bruce was an avid birder who loved all birds, especially the Eastern Bluebird. Most of all Bruce loved people; his face would light up when surrounded by people that he knew.
Bruce was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served as Congregational President, Elder and Treasurer.
In addition to his wife of the home, Karen Lee, Bruce is survived by one daughter, Amber (Zachary) Dozer; one son, Justin (Jenny) Lee; one step-son, Jeremiah (Tiffany) Baxter; his grandchildren, Jacob, Isaac and Owen Lee, Maddox and Damian Dozer; step-grandchildren, Austin Evans, Maxwell and Myles Baxter: one brother, Bill (Lynn) Lee and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Bruce was preceded in death by his first wife, Pamela S. (Stephens) Lee.
Friends may call 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Hillis, Combs & Nestor Funeral Home, 935 Forest Avenue, Zanesville, and one hour prior to services from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at the church. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, July 29, 2024, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 128 South 7th Street, Zanesville, with Rev. Pastor Andrew Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial Contributions may be made to Kiwanis Club International in Bruce’s memory.
