Floyd Marvin Lee

Floyd Marvin Lee was born in his family’s home in Detroit Michigan on December 12, 1944 to Sylvia and Floyd Lee.  He rose above a troubled neighborhood by leaving Detroit before high school graduation to seek new beginnings as an enlisted soldier in The United States Army. He would eventually obtain his GED in 1970. During his Army service he attained the rank of Sgt. E-6 and was recognized as an excellent infantry marksman as well as being part of a special operations intelligence unit during his two tours of duty in Vietnam, just less than 8 years.

His last duty station was Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and at this time in 1970 he participated in a preapprentice cement mason transition training program. While in this program he was noted as having a “positive attitude and learned well”. Once he returned from Army service, he became a resident of Pasadena, California and was referred to the Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Union Association Local CM-923. 

In early 1971, Floyd took his written apprenticeship exam for entry into the union. He wrote a perfect examination.  His oral exam was administered by the Locals Joint Apprentice committee. It was aimed at checking his reliability, oral responses, attitude, and trade motivation. Floyd scored the highest of any apprentice who had applied for the program in Pasadena at that time. As a direct result of his exam performance, Floyd’s required apprenticeship time was reduced by six months.

By 1974 he progressed to Journeyman Contractor and was promoted to the role of foreman.  In 1984, he achieved the designation of General Concrete Contractor, and he opened his own concrete contracting business called Lee Construction.  Floyd’s company specialized in residential and commercial construction landmarks in and around the Los Angeles area until his retirement in 1998.

During the week, Floyd was always in construction clothes and kept “Concrete Hours”, meaning he was early to bed and early to rise to make sure he was at job sites long before his mixed concrete trucks arrived for the morning concrete pour. Off duty Floyd was a very effortless stylish dresser, from head to toe, at least that’s how he made it look. No matter on or off duty he had a sixth sense regarding a deal or a value. He could find the not so obvious bargains in plain sight that others could not see.

Floyd never met a stranger, each person he met in passing became a 15-20 minute conversation. He has accumulated many “good buddies” that he has mentored and helped throughout the years. Many of these people are very loyal to him to this day.

Floyd was a multi-dimensional renaissance man. As a child his mother placed him in tap and jazz dancing lessons. He loved music so much that he taught himself how to play the guitar. Floyd had aspirations of being a disc jockey, musician, and an entertainer.  Some of his beloved pastimes were fitness, boxing, and playing pool, as well as do it yourself projects.

He often spoke of his favorite times, which included time with his kids, gathering them up, grabbing some food, a blanket and taking them out for picnics in the park. Holidays were a good excuse for a cookout and relaxing with family.

Floyd is preceded in death by his father Floyd Lee, his mother Sylvia Lee, and his sister Sylvia Y. Lee.   Floyd was blessed with and survived by three children; two sons Jamal (Amee Vermeire) and Aumon (Kristina Keeme), and one daughter Desrill Lee during his union with wife Dorothy Lee which lasted for 30 years. Floyd’s children have given him 6 grandchildren: Jameelah, Talasia , Langston, Anthony, Elijah, and Josiah Lee. Floyd is also survived by niece Myoshi Lee who he treated like a daughter, and was her only father figure. Floyd was also blessed with a host of family and very close friends.

The Lee Family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, kind words, cards, and condolences during this difficult time.

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