Dr. Gary Robert Lee

Dr. Gary Robert Lee entered eternity with Jesus on April 16, 2024 at UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Gary was born September 27, 1960 in Greensboro, Pennsylvania to James and Vivian Lee. Growing up with his four brothers, he developed a lifelong devotion to family and the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1975, the Lee family moved to Fort Myers, Florida, where Gary graduated from Cypress Lake High School in 1978. After high school, Gary attended the University of Dallas and studied abroad in Rome, collecting passport stamps and a taste for strong espresso. Although the Lee family had spread out across the country, for over forty years, the brothers and their families would gather every summer for vacation, a testament to the close bond their parents forged. Upon graduating from the University of Dallas, Gary worked as a chemist, but he soon found his compassion for people and love for science were best fulfilled in a career in medicine. He attended medical school at the University of Texas in San Antonio. While studying there, he met the love of his life, Melissa, when a faithful saint conspired to have them share a Bible at church. They married in 1985, had their first child in 1986, and moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1987, where he completed his residency at Oral Roberts University’s City of Faith. Gary dedicated his life to bringing healing to people — spirit, soul, and body. With a focus on Family Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Emergency Room care, Gary served patients across Oklahoma, working in Tulsa, Owasso, Sand Springs, Okmulgee, Grove, and McAlester. He cherished his memories as an attending at the In His Image Medicine Residency, and he most recently served the patients and staff at Access Medical Solutions Group. He also regularly acted as the doctor for the US Open of Snowboarding in Vermont, as well as a physician for athletes at the Pan African Games in Madagascar. His adventurous spirit and love for the Lord took him all around the world, where he shared medical care and a message of hope in nations like Nepal, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, Honduras, Haiti, Peru, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Northern Iraq, Niger, Kenya, Ghana, Guatemala, Mexico, Madagascar, Siberia, and Ukraine. His greatest honor was telling the Good News of Jesus to people who had never heard it before. The Mission of Hope International in Haiti had a special place in his heart. During his trips to Haiti, he sponsored and helped construct a library at the mission’s school in Grand Goâve and a home for a family in need. Over the years, Gary supported many non-profit organizations. He was CEO of the board of Kids For Christ, a student-led Bible club in public schools nationwide, and he spent hundreds of hours talking about Jesus with students at Union’s Grove Elementary and Moore Elementary. He also served on the board of Richard Roberts Ministries. He and his wife, Melissa, were founding board members of Kids Against Hunger Global. He served as Vice President of the organization for over fifteen years, distributing over 13 million meals in over 80 countries. Known by many of his dear friends and patients as “Doc,” Gary had a thriving community in Tulsa. He built a beautiful circle of friends at Woodlake Church, where he loved serving with the elementary kids in “The Factory.” He was involved with Bridge Builders International, his weekly men’s breakfast Bible study, weekend golf gatherings, and all the happenings of his big, joyful family. Gary is the father of five adult children, who each believe to this day that they are his favorite. He coached their basketball, softball, and football teams, made cameos in their short films, and threw countless costume parties in the cul-de-sac. But more than anything, he had a gift for cultivating big dreams. He also stood in as dad for many who needed a father, and as a result, he never knew an empty nest. As Pop Pop to his six grandchildren, he will forever be known as a master storyteller, expert snuggler, and the perfect playmate. Though he accepted Jesus as a young boy, Gary never could talk about the gift of salvation without tears in his eyes and a quiver in his voice. He lived forever in awe of God’s saving grace. Awaiting him in heaven were his parents, James Dale Lee and Vivian Ione Lee, his mother-in-law, Jo Ann “Gigi” Smothers, and two grandbabies he never met until now. His legacy continues through his best friend and beloved wife of 38 years, Melissa Lee of Tulsa, and their children, Candace Lee Carlson and her husband, Andrew; Elizabeth Lee; Jillian Gosselin and her husband, Brian; Gary Robert Lee II; and Madeline Matthesen and her husband, Chance. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Dr. Raymond Smothers, and his six grandchildren, Charles, Eloise and George Henry Gosselin; Elliott and Fisher Carlson; and William Lee. He also leaves behind many extended family members across the United States. A Celebration of Life for Dr. Gary Lee will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 11am at Woodlake Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions to the Dr. Gary Lee Memorial Kids Camp Scholarship fund, sponsoring students to attend Camp Cargill in Sparks, OK. Some of Dr. Lee’s fondest memories were volunteering as a Cabin Leader at church camp, where he and his students won the Super Cabin award. To donate, please visit www.giving.woodlake.church and select the Memorial Donations fund, where you can enter Dr. Gary Lee Memorial Kids Camp Scholarship in the Memo.

Tributes

Dr. Gary Robert Lee

September 27, 1960 - April 16, 2024