Lee Edwin Canady left this earth for his heavenly home on April 21, 2022, surrounded by loved ones, at Seven Haven II Assisted Living, Mesa, Arizona. He was born to Clarence Arlington and Celeste Monica Canady on February 22, 1935, in Kearney, Nebraska. After graduating from David City High School, he worked on a farm until enlisting in the US Army. He served honorably from 1954-1957. Upon discharge from the Army, he was employed by Western Electric in El Paso, Texas at the White Sands Missile test site where he was a technician working with the Nike Missile System.
Lee was transferred to various sites across the US to upgrade Nike Missile guidance and control systems. While assigned in Burlington, NC, he met and married Mary Margaret Taylor. Subsequently, he volunteered for a one-year accompanied Tour of Duty on Kwajalein Atoll, in the Pacific. He volunteered for a six-month extension because he and Mary enjoyed the work and environment.
Upon completion of his 18-month assignment on Kwajalein, Lee and Mary lived and worked in El Paso, Texas, and Colorado Springs, Colorado before moving to Batavia. Illinois, where Lee worked until his retirement. He was a member of the Geneva Masonic Lodge No. 139 and rose to the honored station of Past Master after his service as Grand Master in 1988-89. Lee and Mary enjoyed camping and traveling all over the US with the Red Dale Camping Club. Lee also enjoyed researching his family’s genealogy.
Lee and Mary lived in Illinois for 25 years and traveled to Mesa, Arizona as “snowbirds” until 2003 when they purchased a home in Citrus Gardens in Mesa. There, Lee was active in the Apache Masonic Lodge No. 69, serving as the Office of Outer Guard. He was an accomplished wood worker, making the cabinets in their home, and he enjoyed his 15 years as President of the Citrus Gardens Wood Shop.
Mary preceded his death in October 2021. He is survived by his brother, Paul Canady (Karen) of SC; his Aunt Phyllis Hewitt of AZ; nieces Sheryl Tennant (Rob) of NC and Shawn Gamble (John) of SC; nephew Scott Canady of OH; cousins Holly Erickson (Jo Abel) of AZ, Carol Anderson of NE, and Marvin Tuffs (Donna Anderson) of CA; and his best friends Roy and Jani Ehlers of AZ. Those who knew and loved Lee will miss his charm and characteristic wit that made us laugh and enjoy being around him.
Memorials are suggested to Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
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