Steamboat Springs resident Thomas Ludlam Lee died Aug. 10, 2006, at the Doak Walker Care Center. He was 86.

Tom was born July 18, 1920, in Chicago to Julia and Cletus Lee. He grew up primarily in Chicago and attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., graduating in 1941 with a degree in philosophy and math. Following in his father’s footsteps, he became a certified public accountant in 1954. Early in his business career, Tom held positions with several accounting, industrial and mining companies in Chicago, Pittsburgh and Detroit.

On April 21, 1956, he married Winifred Shannon in Chicago. They raised three children. In 1968, the family moved from Birmingham, Mich., to Dallas, Texas, where Tom worked for LTV Aerospace Corp. When LTV Recreational Development Inc. purchased the Steamboat Ski Company in 1970, the family moved to Steamboat Springs, where Tom was controller for the resort until the mid-1970s. He then had a private accounting practice in Steamboat until 1987. After retiring, Tom worked as a greeter at Wal-Mart for almost 13 years, where he especially enjoyed seeing children and giving them smiley-face stickers.

Throughout his life, Tom was active in church and community activities. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served on the Holy Name Parish and Finance Councils for many years. He also was a charter member of the Steamboat Springs Rotary Club as well as a Paul Harris and Jack Black Fellow in that organization. He enjoyed golf (in 1946 he had a 170-yard hole in one), fishing and singing in choirs and with Rotary.

Tom was much loved and respected by those who knew him, and he will be remembered for his kindness, faith and quiet sense of humor. His life was an expression of his love of God and of others.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; and an infant sister.

He is survived by his brother Clete; sister-in-laws Marianne Lee, Gerry Hogan, Ellie Lee and Mary Lee; numerous nieces and nephews; his wife, Winnie; daughter Susie Lee of Steamboat Springs; son, Bob and his wife, Ping Ping; grandson, Nathan of Taijung, Taiwan; and daughter Katie Hegg, her husband Mark; and grandchildren Nelson and Jamie Hegg of Boulder.

A funeral Mass was held Aug. 16, 2006, at Holy Name Catholic Church with burial following at the Steamboat Springs Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.