Lee Drain of Dallas, Texas, passed away on February 7, 2019, at the age of 93. He was born on April 18, 1925, to Denver Lee and Mary Mae (Skelton) Drain in Clear Lake, Texas. Lee proudly served his country as a Captain in the United States Air Force during 32 months of active military service. He married Lynett Craddock on October 31, 1974, in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Drain and his wife, Lynett, were members of Park Cities Baptist Church.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University in 1950 and a Master of Science degree from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University) in 1953. Lee also was a graduate with distinction from Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. In 1983, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Sam Houston State University and East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University). In 1990, a multi-purpose building at Sam Houston State University was officially named the Lee Drain Building.
A native Texan, Lee Drain spent his career in the financial industry, yet dedicated a great deal of time and effort to numerous civic, educational and service organizations. Mr. Drain served as a consultant to Bank of America and was a member of the Board of Directors for NationsBank of Texas, a predecessor to Bank of America, from April 1993 to May 1997. He officially retired from Bank of America on December 31, 1999, after 46 years of service with Republic Bank Corporation, later NationsBank. During his career with the bank, he had a number of posts including Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Republic Bank Corporation.
Among his many civic activities, Mr. Drain served as the Trustee and Vice Chairman of the Board of the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Rangers Association Foundation. Other volunteer leadership posts have included: Board of Directors of the Dallas Crime Commission; City of Dallas Park Board; Dallas Council of World Affairs; Vice Chair of the Junior Livestock Auction, State Fair of Texas; Board of Directors of the East Texas State University Foundation; and as a Thesis Advisor for the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University for 35 years. Always a champion of educational opportunities for young people, Mr. Drain was a past chairman and former member of the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System where he served for 19 years.
Mr. Drain attained the 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason, Valley of Dallas. He was honored by the Masonic Fraternity when he received the Endangered Species Award from the Dallas Scottish Rite Library and Museum in 1993.
Lee is survived by many loving family members, nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lynett C. Drain; his brother, Vincent E. Drain; sisters, Dorothy L. Harlow and Mary Frances Nylen; and his parents, Denver Lee and Mary Drain.
The family will receive friends during a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 12, 2019, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. A graveside service will follow at 11:30 a.m., at Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.