Lee was a great friend to my brothers and over at our apt, often. I remember chasing him away from the record player many times, as he loved the music loud. He was a great but funky dancer. He had a sarcastic sharp wit and humor with quick comebacks. He was always welcome at the Vargas. He will be missed.
I remember my brother listening to ooh ooh that smell by Lynyrd Skynrd and making fun of one of our aunts. I remember him making fun of me for stealing his roaches of course I never admitted to it 😊 I remember visiting him when his kids were little and he would be watching horror movies and I would say aren’t you worried about the kids watching these and he’d say no they don’t pay any attention. They were toddlers at the time. One time when I went to visit him. He gave me his daughter Jenilee’s pink and purple bike that she had outgrown for my daughter. I remember coming home one day and seeing Lee on the stoop. I didn’t recognize him. There was cotton stuffed in his nose. He was beat so bad. Apparently, there was a gang fight. Except his gang didn’t show up. I think just him and one other buddy. At least from what I can remember. I remember my mom saying Lee came out like a football. She had also said. She had wanted to name him Carl but that my dad thought it was too German. My dad was hard on Lee because he was smaller than my other brothers. But Lee really wasn’t that small he was a normal kid. My other brothers were just bigger than ordinary. I know Lee was upset he only got to run as a kid. He didn’t get a chance to play other sports. He was really proud of his son Lee when he played baseball. My brother Lee taught me how to play 5 & 7 card stud, shuffle cards and make bridges with them. He taught me so well that when I went to play cards with my best friend, she told me to stop showing off. When our sister got pregnant at 15 Lee was the only one who told her to keep her baby. He was a typical older brother prankster with the pull my finger, among others. I am truly sorry I didn’t keep more in touch. Sad to say technology has kept me from reaching out to people like I should. I see my sister in law, niece, nephew along with grand nieces and nephews on Facebook. I’m sorry to say it took his death to wake me up to this.
To my Aunt and cousins.... you all have my thoughts and prayers ... Lee will always be a part of my childhood memories ... big smile, kinda shy ... taller and faster than me ... may he leave as many wonderful memories on his new journey now as he did with his last journey here with us ... be well my friend ... and thank you for being who you were to me as kids ...