04/18/2026
💔😢May you rest in peace buddy 🕊you will definitely be missed.
Edward "Eddie" Wesley Lee Obituary
July 3, 1946 ~ April 15, 2026
Edward “Eddie” Wesley Lee, 79, of Jacksonville, Texas, passed away on April 15, 2026.
Eddie Lee, born on July 3, 1946, lived a life that was anything but ordinary. Known for his larger-than-life personality, quick wit and unmistakable presence, Eddie never met a stranger—only people he hadn’t talked to yet. If you knew him, you likely have a story… and if you didn’t, he probably made sure you did before long.
He was a proud 1964 Wampus Cat graduate of Itasca High School. He would then earn his bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth, a testament to his commitment and determination—qualities that carried through every part of his life.
Behind the man he became were the people who helped shape him. He carried with him the influence and values of his grandfather, Calvin Wesley, as well as Trueitt Smith, both of whom left a lasting mark on his life.
Eddie proudly served as a police officer with the Fort Worth Police Department for 33 years, where he built not only a career but a reputation. Affectionately nicknamed “The Mangler” (a title earned from his, let’s say, eventful encounters with patrol cars), he left a lasting impression on his fellow officers and the community he served. After retiring, Eddie continued his dedication to law enforcement with the Jacksonville Police Department and later as the elected Constable of Cherokee County.
Eddie was a proud member of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, a 50-year member of the Masonic organization and a Shriner. Brotherhood, service and loyalty were not just words to him—they were a way of life.
To know Eddie was to know a man who lived fully and unapologetically. He loved to travel, cherished time with family and friends and had a personality that could fill any room. He was stubborn—there’s no denying that—and believed wholeheartedly that there was his way… and then there was everything else. And if you thought you were right, well, you better come prepared to prove it.
Eddie also had a deep love for cooking, and for many years you could find him out by his smoker, proudly showing off his skills. His meals were never complete without dessert—something sweet was a requirement, not an option. He was especially proud of his homemade banana pudding, once making an impressive 12-pound batch that, like everything else he did, was done big and done right.
But beyond the humor and strong will was a man with a deeply generous heart. Eddie was often the first to show up when someone needed help, offering guidance, support and sometimes a firm push in the right direction. He helped countless people get back on their feet, never asking for recognition—just doing what he believed was right.
Eddie is survived by his loving wife, Shari Lee; his children, Marcus, Shelby, Sara, Josh, Jill and Abbee; sister, Erma Tucker; as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will carry forward his stories, his laughter and his legacy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ermon Lee and Mary Louise; his brother, James Elliot; and his son, Sean Lee.
A celebration of Eddie’s life will be held Friday, April 24 at 10am at Central Baptist Church of Jacksonville. He will be honored with a full police honor guard, the sound of bagpipes and a flyover tribute—complete with one plane peeling away, a final salute to a man who truly soared in his own way.
Eddie Lee leaves behind a legacy of his love for God, laughter, service, stubborn determination and a reminder to all who knew him: life is meant to be lived boldly, fully and with a story worth telling.
Service:
Friday, April 24, 2026
10:00AM
Central Baptist Church
1909 E Rusk
Jacksonville, TX 75766
The Missing Man Formation will be performed a few minutes before the service begins.
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