Wallace Lee

(“Wally” to those who knew and loved him) of Arroyo Seco, New Mexico, passed away on October 2, 2020 at the age of 69 after a difficult battle with cancer. He was born in Fort Stockton, Texas on November 28, 1950 and spent his first years in Alpine. Wally graduated from high school in Guatemala City and held a deeply rooted passion for Latin American culture. After receiving a bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas in the 1970s he returned to Guatemala with his family to work as an educator. During this time Wally was inspired to enter the medical field and upon returning to Texas become a Physician’s Assistant (PA) at UT Medical School. Most of his life was spent caring for others through years of service at the Austin Regional Clinic, The VA Hospital in Albuquerque, and Digestive Health Associates of Durango. Wally was a brilliant musician and a talented artist and writer. His love for the natural world was evident in his prolific gardens and his knowledge of botany, geology, anthropology, and ancient history. A passionate rockhound and lapidarist he spent hours working in his shop “Blue Turtle Lapidary.” An accomplished athlete and Nordic skier, he was also an activist who fought for equal rights, racial and social justice, and encouraged his family to do the same. Wally is survived by his loving wife Margaret Starner Lee, daughter Rachel Lee Waldrop (David), son Joseph Lee, step-daughter Kimberley MacLeod (Michael), step-son Jason Starner (Lynn), brother Robert Joe Lee (Caryl) and grandchildren Ariana, Evan, Ava, Kara and Krystle, along with countless other family members and close friends. A private service will be held for immediate family on October 17, 2020 at Unity of Taos, to be streamed for family and friends who cannot attend. In the near future his family plans to scatter his ashes at “The Window” in Big Bend National Park, the place where he first fell in love with nature. Ashes will also be used to plant a living tree. The Lee Family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Friends of Guatemala Inc, an organization that serves underprivileged Guatemalan families and communities in areas of healthcare and education. www.friendsofguatemalainc.org