Joseph Lloyd Lee

On June 30, 2023, at the age of 97, Joseph Lloyd Lee passed away with his loving family by his side. A graveside service will be held at 11:00a.m.onSunday,March 24, 2024, at Terrance Cemetery in Post. Joseph, who went by his middle name Lloyd, was affectionately known as “Pop” to his family. LloydwasbornonMarch 9, 1926, in Post, Texas, to George and Martha Lee.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn Lee and daughter, Linda (Lee) Atherton. Also preceding him in death was his father, George Walter Lee, his mother Martha Cornelia Lee, and nine siblings: Laura Mae (Lee) Vaughn, Cecil Lee,MurphyLee,JamesLee, Paul Lee, Cody Lee, Elton Lee, Ethel (Lee) Howard, and Charlie Lee.

Lloyd is survived by his daughter Marlene, and husband Rick Ayala of Upland, California, and his son Billy J. Lee and wife Theresa of San Dimas California. In addition, Pop left behind 6 grandchildren and 6 greatgrandchildren.

In 1944, Lloyd enlisted in the United States Navy where he served 20 years, and was a veteran of three wars, WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Lloyd loved the “Navy life” and the adventures that followed. He served on five ships: the USS Guam, USS Burton Island, USS Point Cruz, USS Mount Baker and the USS Pluck. His assignments took him to such places as the Arctic and Antarctic on multiple occasions. In addition, he traveled to Alaska, the East Coast, South America, the SouthSeas,Japanandmany other destinations. He spent three years in Hawaii, followed by San Diego before his final destination of Long Beach, California.

In 1964, following his military career, Lloyd and his family moved to Azusa California where he began working for Azusa Unified School District. He held several positions for the next 23 years before retiring as an electrician in 1988. Lloyd and his wife Evelyn opened their home to foster children during that time. What began with one baby in 1968 led to eighteen years of caring for countless babies and children of all ages. Overall, they cared for more than 100 children during their time as foster parents. It was only when Lloyd and Evelyn decided to move to Post upon Lloyd’s retirement that they ended their career as foster parents.

Lloyd’s hobbies included riding motorcycles and working in his garden. Annual road trips to Post were also a big part of Lloyd’s life. Even though most of his adult life was spent living in California, Post was always in his heart.