THE PARIS NEWS, July 29, 2008: "Lee Andrew Denton Jr., 93, of Paris, passed from this life on Monday, July 28, 2008, at Paris Regional Medical Center. Funeral services are conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 31, in the chapel of Starrett Funeral Home with the Rev. Van Lazaroff and the Rev. Ray Starnes officiating. Interment with military honors follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family receives friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. He was born Nov. 23, 1914, in Roxton, the son of Lee Andrew Denton Sr. and Vesta White Denton. He was a 1932 graduate of Roxton High School. After graduation he worked in road, water and sewer construction in Roxton, and assisted in the construction of a new school building. He entered the United States Navy on Oct. 10, 1940, achieving the ratings of Apprentice Seaman, Seaman 2C, Seaman 1C, Fireman 1C and Machinists Mate 3C, 2C and 1C. Aboard the U.S.S. Clark he made fresh water, did repairs and served as engine room watch. He served at the Naval Base Hospital #12 in England, the repair base at Weymouth, England, and the United States Naval Ordinance Testing Station in Inyokern, Calif., where he was responsible for a maintenance force of 46 men. He was awarded the American Defense Medal, the European African Campaign Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He completed his military service at the Receiving Station in San Diego, Calif., and was honorably discharged on Dec. 2, 1946. Upon leaving the Navy he began employment at the former Gene Roden & Sons Funeral Home and entered the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, where he graduated in 1948, served two years internship and received his Licenses to practice Funeral Directing and Embalming in 1950. Upon the illness of Gene Roden in 1955, he was named assistant manager of the firm. He was honored by the Texas Funeral Directors Association in 1998, in recognition of 50 years in funeral service. He enjoyed great involvement as a volunteer in the City of Paris, and was a well-known leader in the Paris Founders Lions Club, which he joined in 1956. He was a Life Member of Lions International. In the Paris club he had served as Tail Twister, Director, Secretary-Treasurer, and President; was a Melvin Jones Fellow, and was named Lion of the Year in 1990. He enjoyed 50 years of perfect attendance. He was a member of the American Legion, was a former campaign chairman for the American Cancer Society, a former chairman of the United Fund, a former member of the IOOF Lodge, and served on numerous committees of the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce, serving two years as treasurer. He attended the First United Methodist Church and was active in the Couples Class. He married the former Jessie Colburn on Nov. 28, 1943, in the chapel of Roden Funeral Home. He was preceded in death by a sister, Cecile Roden and a brother, Robert Denton. Survivors include his wife; a loving daughter Pam; two nephews, Marcus Roden and wife, Sharon, and Paul Gene Roden and wife, Anita, all of Paris; and a niece, Suzanne Roden of Ty1er; three great-nieces and three great-nephews; and a host of other family and friends. Named to serve as pallbearers are Jim Brunette, Weldon Slaton, Mike Barbee, Chet Hilyer, Tommy Hunt and Tim Lowry. Honorary pallbearers are J. B. Lowry, Bobby Myers, members of the Paris Founders Lions Club, and members of the Couples Class of First United Methodist Church. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the radio fund of the First United Methodist Church or to a charity of one's choice. Friends may register in Lee's Book of Memory at www.starrettfunerals.com