Former local insurance executive dies

May 06--T. Eldred Lee Jr., a longtime Fredericksburg businessman and former City Council member, died Sunday at his home.

He was 94.

Lee was chairman emeritus and past owner of Lee-Curtis Insurance Service in Fredericksburg. An Army veteran of World War II, he began his career in insurance in 1949 at the request of his wife, the late Nannie Curtis Lee, whose father, W.E. Curtis, had founded W.E. Curtis Insurance in 1926.

Lee and his wife bought a half-interest in the business from Curtis in 1954 and the rest in 1957. All six of their children followed them into working at what was then called Lee-Curtis Insurance. The first three to join--Thomas, John and Robert Lee--nominated their father for the 1977 Fredericksburg Jaycees' Boss of the Year Award, which he won.

Today, the company is known as Lee-Curtis, Freeman, Graves & Hall Insurance. Its main office is in Fredericksburg, and it has branches in Culpeper and Spotsylvania counties.

During his career, Lee played key roles in and was honored by a number of insurance associations. These included the Certified Professional Insurance Agents Society, of which he was a founding member and former trustee.

He was also active in civic affairs and served one term on City Council in the 1970s; was a deacon, Sunday school teacher and treasurer for Fairview Baptist Church in Fredericksburg; was president of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce; and was involved in and honored by the Boy Scouts of America, among numerous of other organizations. All five of his sons obtained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Cathy Jett: 540/374-5407

[email protected]

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