Rocky Lee

Albert Rex “Rocky” Lee passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 14th, 2025, in Amarillo, Texas.

Rocky was born in Lakewood, New Mexico on September 11, 1928, to Albert George Lee and Ruth “Kee” Neatherlin Lee.

Rocky graduated from Artesia High School at the age of 14 and later received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Hardin Simmons University when he was 20 years old. In 1948, he would marry Helen Marie Tucker, who would be the love of his life for the next 76+ years, a marriage which was blessed with the addition of three sons.

Following his graduation from HSU, Rocky and Helen moved to Hereford in 1949 where his first job was as an elementary school teacher and where he began the first after school PE program. After his time as an educator, Rocky ventured out and worked for Mobile Oil Company. They later returned to Hereford where he purchased and operated a Phillips 66 Service Station at the corner of Hwy 385 and Hwy 60. In 1959, along with his life long friend and business partner, Bobby Owen, they began Summerfield Fertilizer, a business that would grow and serve the farming industry for over 30 years. Additional business ventures came in farming and cattle, with part ownership in Cattle Town Feedyards

Among his proudest achievements were being recognized as Hereford’s first “Father Of The Year”, having been nominated by his then teenage son, Rick. He was also Hereford’s “Citizen Of The Year” in 1982, president of the Deaf Smith County Chamber of Commerce in 1989, a director of Hereford State Bank, and a 70 year member of Lions Club International having held the positions of President of the Hereford Lions Club and as a District Governor.

Rocky truly enjoyed coaching American Legion baseball. In addition to enjoying the game, Rocky used his love of the game to coach and witness to young men to teach them sportsmanship, proper values in life and how to honor God in all that they did. All things which they could carry with them throughout their lives. Many of his former players became like adopted sons to him and they kept in contact with him over the years where they still referred to him as “coach”.

Rocky and Helen were long time members of First Baptist Church and later Fellowship of Believers in Hereford and St. Stephen Church in Amarillo. Rocky was a man who generously gave so much of himself to whoever he saw in need, as long as he could do so anonymously. A man that not only professed his faith and love for God, but showed it in his daily walk and activities. He was truly a servant for the Lord. Years ago, in a message to a dear friend, Rocky wrote, “I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ has done for us.”

Rocky is survived by his loving wife, Helen; his sons, Ren Lee and wife Linda of Shawnee, Oklahoma, and Rex Lee and wife Melinda of Canyon; his daughter-in-law, Leslie Lee (spouse of late son Rick Lee) of Amarillo; five grandchildren, Chris Lee and wife Amber of Amarillo, Will Lee and wife Elizabeth of Amarillo, Summer Lee and husband Adnan of Austin, John Lee of Dallas. and Keeley Lee of San Diego, California; and two great grandchildren, Taran and Camryn Lee.

Rocky and Helen were also blessed with bonus grandchildren, Chase and Keely Potter, of Canyon, Texas, and Aron and Sydney Blasingame of Canyon, Texas, and their bonus six great grandchildren, Brightan, Sy, and Broxon Potter, and Ryker and Paisleigh Blasingame all of Canyon, Texas.

Rocky is preceded in death by his son, Rick Lee; daughter-in-law, Amy Lee; parents, Albert and Ruth; and sister, Jeanie Clack.

Visitation will be from 6-7:00 PM, Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Memorial service will be at 12:00 PM, Friday, April 18, 2025, at Saint Stephen United Methodist Church. Interment will be private in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are made by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to City Church Outreach Ministry of Amarillo and Samaritan’s Purse]