Hubert “Lee” Cronister Jr. (1941 – 2017) was a man of extraordinary integrity, character, and family values. Lee was born on June 19, 1941, in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was the eldest of six children born to Hubert and Ernestine Cronister. Lee grew up watching and working with his father, who owned his own construction company. He attended St. Mary’s School in Pittsburg KS, where he excelled in both academics and sports (especially football). He later attended the University of Notre Dame, earning a degree in civil engineering. While Lee was at Notre Dame, he met the love of his life, Mardy, on a blind date to the Military Ball. They married in June of 1964, and settled into their first home in Columbia MO, while Lee was in graduate school at the University of Missouri. Lee said he married “the most beautiful girl in the world”. Lee served in the Army during the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star and attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Lee and Mardy went on to raise four children (Lee III, Scott, Kim and Curt).
His career as a civil engineer was deeply meaningful to him, and spanned four decades. He managed major infrastructure projects across the United States. The work ethic he brought to these projects was instilled by working with his father and his brothers in their family construction business.
A lifelong learner, Lee always had a book nearby. His overflowing library shows his varied interests: science, mathematics, history, philosophy, religion, economics, and art. He was a talented free-hand artist, and later in life he enjoyed creative pursuits like pastel portraiture and landscape painting.
However, there was nothing Lee enjoyed more than spending time with his large beloved family. He was a devoted brother, adoring husband, loving proud father, loving uncle and indulgent grandfather who enjoyed sharing his sense of humor and wealth of knowledge with his family and friends.
Lee is survived by his wife Mardy, his daughter Kim, his sons Scott and Curt, his grandchildren Ryan, Patrick, Jake, Jack, Ben, and Cal, his sister Kathleen, his brothers Richard, David, Brent, and Brian, scores of nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues who loved him dearly and will forever miss him.
A remembrance gathering will be held May 2, 2017, at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013 from 7-9 pm. A funeral mass will be held May 3, 2017, at St. Jude Catholic Church , 1515 N Greenville, Allen, Texas 75002 at 10:00 a.m.
Lee’s family request, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made be made to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation at alz.org.