Thomas Oliver "Tom" Lee, 86, 328 10th Ave. S.E. - Minot and former Mayor and City Councilman died Friday March 12, 2004 in a Mohall Nursing Home.

He was born on January 2, 1918 and raised on the family farm north of Minot in Eureka Township of Ward County to John and Bertha (Nelson) Lee. He attended Eureka Township Elementary School and graduated from Minot Model High School in 1935. Tom attended Minot Business College for two years where he received specialized training in accounting and business English. He served in the U.S. Army just prior to the U.S. involvement in World War II and received an honorable discharge. As a young man, Tom had a special interest in baseball and, for a period of time, served as North Dakota Commissioner of Semi-Pro Baseball.

Tom married Viola Gliege of Newman Township in Ward County on October 12, 1944 in Minot where they made their home. He was employed by Super Valu Grocery and Keatings Furniture as an accountant and owned and operated Tom's Standard Service in addition to serving as deputy accounting and finance officer at Minot Air Force Base. Prior to his retirement in 1979, Tom attained the position of Controller at Central Power Electric Cooperative.

Tom served as Seventh Ward Alderman for nearly 12 years beginning in 1968 and he served as City Council President from 1976 to 1978. During his time on the City Council he was instrumental in establishing the Minot Commission on Aging and the widening of Burdick Expressway to four-lanes throughout the city, as well as the naming of the thoroughfare for the late U.S. Senator. As mayor of Minot from 1982 until 1984 Tom was proud of his active involvement in the Minot Commission on the Status of Women and the establishment of the Downtown Commission for the renewal of downtown Minot .

Tom was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot where he served as treasurer and trustee. He was also a member of the Minot Chamber of Commerce, Eagles Aerie, Elks Lodge and American Legion.

Those who shared in his life include: his loving wife of 60 years Viola; Sons: Jerald Lee (Donald Ofstedahl) of Minneapolis, MN, James (Janice Petersen) Lee of Max, ND, Donald (Carla Benson) Lee of Minot and Dr. Paul Lee of St. Louis, MO; Grandchildren: Michael (Tera) Lee of Farmington, MN, Brian (Sarah) Lee and Emily Lee of Minneapoli,s MN, Jennifer (Lee) Moore and her husband Robert of Lakeland, FL, and Rebecca Lee of Los Angeles, CA; Great Grandchildren: Michael and Joshua Lee of Farmington, MN and Joseph and Ethan Moore of Lakeland, FL; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Alma (Lee) Huseby and Annette (Lee) Ronnie and brothers: John Lee and Clarence Lee.

Funeral Service: Tuesday March 16, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church - Minot .
Interment will be at Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot .
Memorials are preferred to Bethany Lutheran Church .