Lee Alan Westbrook

August 7,1955 - November 12, 2020

Elwood, TX

Elwood, Texas -- Lee Alan Westbrook, funny man, serial hobbyist, and fixer of all things died on Thursday, November 12, 2020. He was on his way home from one of his favorite activities, driving one of his favorite things, to one of his favorite places.

Growing up with the best and most wonderful parents, Morris and Berniclee (Bea) Westbrook, Lee was one of four siblings. As a child, he spent a lot of time attempting to keep up with his big brother Robert Westbrook. Younger brother, Michael Westbrook's fondest memories of Lee are the times the brothers spent on the farm in Elwood, where Lee now resides. He remembers that they would go out in the morning, barefoot, down the powder-like, sand road to a nearby spring-fed creek, and play in the cold water. He recalls exploring all day with his brothers, just being kids. Lee's sister, Sandra Daniels, looked up to him as a talented trumpet player, and was inspired to join the band, herself, because of his talent. Indeed, Lee marched proudly with the South Garland High School band, becoming a "hell-raiser" by the end of his senior year, if his yearbook can be believed.

Lee met his former wife of 37 years, and the only woman your dear writer believes he ever loved, Karen Kannada, playing tennis in 1975. They were married in '76, but didn't have their first child for 5 years because Lee couldn't see bringing a child into "this world" of the late 70s. Once it was safe, in the 80s, he and Karen went on to have their first two of three daughters, Chrystine and Nicole, and third daughter, Petra, in 1990.

If Lee was anything consistently, he was a provider. He worked, in those days, as a self-employed auto upholsterer, and his children looked forward to Friday nights when he brought home Pizza by the Foot from Little Caesars, always saying "pizza pizza" way too many times. He provided a safe and happy home for his family, giving his children his dry wit and sarcastic, but fun, humor. He tickled them until they cried and teased them endlessly, laughing when they got frustrated. He kept a beautiful yard, and decorated grandly for Christmas. He enjoyed cooking for holidays, too. He was proud of his children when they achieved academic successes, and when they learned to play instruments or got into drill team or basketball or football, going with Karen to every home game, and even some away. He was so happy when his first grandchild, Haylea, was born in 2000, and he doted on her, once giving her an Altoid mint when he offered her candy that he didn't have because she was crying. He took her on her first trampoline jump, holding her until she felt safe enough to jump on her own. Because that's what he did: provided safety.

Lee also did a little bit of everything. He renovated his and Karen's first home, and fixed nearly any auto problem that arose. He had the greenest thumb, and was largely responsible for the most vibrant flower gardens at home and the greenest yard in Caddo Mills. He built intricate airplanes at the kitchen table, which he would crash spectacularly when he flew them at the high school parking lot across the field. He grew orchids in the family’s home office, outfitting the whole room with grow lights. He liked to go duck hunting, fishing, and camping. He taught himself to play golf. There was a family trip to Six Flags nearly every year. He built a koi pond in the backyard and was an animal whisperer. He had many dogs and cats, and eventually a saltwater fish tank. Lee liked hobbies, and he liked them big.

Eventually, Lee moved on to aviation upholstery, where he worked on several notable airplanes. This move relocated three and then four fifths of his family to the St. Louis area, where Karen, Nicole and Petra remain today. While there, Lee fell on some hard times that ultimately cost him his marriage, and badly damaged his relationships with his children. He moved back to Texas, because his mom and dad gave him the help he needed, when he needed it most. Lee started to build a home on "The Farm," the piece of land where his parents lived, and where he took his family so many times, as they grew up together. As a fixer of all, he took care of the farm as his dad passed, and then his mom. And as a fixer of all, he began to reach back out to his children, repairing the relationships with them, however he could. He's continued to care for that family land, ever since, and in the eight years since he's been back in Texas, he turned a bit of undeveloped earth there into a beautiful haven for himself. He doubled the size of the house he built, still making improvements to it each week, in between visits with his only local daughter, Chrystine, and his second grandchild, Max. He began a vegetable garden. He kept bees. He put a deer feeder out because Chrystine saw a buck that one time. He finally got that Harley he said he always wanted. One of his latest pleasures was visiting his younger brother, Michael in Cozumel, traveling there on Robert's boat. He's enjoyed holiday celebrations with Sandra and eating any baked goods she sent his way, especially her all-butter pound cake.

Lee was a proud man. He was proud of his children. He was proud of his grandchildren, forlornly missing the opportunity to get to know Aubrie very well, or even getting to meet Daxton. He was proud of the relationships he had, and those that he worked to mend. He was proud of the house he built, and the beautiful land on which it sits. He was proud of his Harley. His pool stick. His garden and orchard. His dogs. His wit. His ability to do anything he decided to do. I believe he was proud of his life, even though it wasn't perfect. It was a good life.

Those of us who knew him well will remember Lee’s snap of a laugh when he was uncomfortable or was proud of a joke he'd made. We'll remember the way he admired us and cared for us. We'll remember how goofy he was, how handy, and what he achieved. We'll remember all the tasty things he used to make, and what a big kid he was around Christmastime. We'll think of him when we succeed at something, knowing he'd have been proud, or when we don't succeed, since we knew he could tell us what we could do to succeed. We'll think of him when the weather changes, and when there's a beautiful sunrise or set. When the moon is full, and the night sky is clear. We'll think of him when we see orchids or taste inferior tomato soup or salsa. We'll keep him alive in our hearts and our stories, as time moves on without him. We'll think of him, and we'll think well.

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home Bonham, TX. 

To convey condolences or sign an online registry please visit www.coopersorrells.com