Julian "Rod" Lee

Mr. Julian “Rod” Ralston Lee, 88, passed away at his residence on Thursday, May 6, 2021. He was born in Atlanta on June 6, 1932 to the late Julian Ralston and Frances Buxton Lee. Rod was married to a wonderful, loving wife of 61 years, Fredrick Arlene Drexel Lee. Two beautiful daughters were born of their union, Dawn Drexel Pleck (Thomas) and Courtney Ruthe Tilley (Bobbu). Grandchildren are Summer Ray Tilley, Juliana Pleck, Alaina Pleck and Britainy Tilley; one great-granddaughter, Rylee Tilley; three nephews, Jon Lewman, Mark Lewman and Kevin Connelly and one first cousin, Doctor Frank Arnold.

In addition to his parents, Rod is preceded in death by three sisters, Catherine Lee, Dorothy Lewman and Ruthe Connely and one nephew, Rick Lewman.

Rod was reared by his father and loving family members. He attended schools in Girard, GA., Savannah, GA., Cypress, FL., Pensacola, FL., Marshall, Il., and Casey, IL. where he graduated high school. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was a member of the original 10th Special Forces stationed in Germany. He was a graduate of Armstrong State College, University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology and Woodrow Wilson College of Law. He obtained degrees in Basic Science, Agricultural Engineering, Bachelor of Physics Master of Nuclear Engineering and Juris Doctorate of Law. He was employed by Allis Chalmers Tractors, Western Electric Engineering, Georgia Tech and Southern Polytechnic Institute. He preciously worked as a farmer, logger, salesman, an Electrical Engineer in Industry, Professor of Physics, Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology and a consultant to many different firms. During his teaching years, he was part of the separation of Southern Tech from Georgia Tech but continued at Southern Tech as a Professor and at Georgia Tech as a Co-Administrator in Continuing Education Engineering Refresher Course that he developed. He was a Life member of the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers holding many offices and receiving many honors such as President of the Year, Engineer of the Year in 1980 and 1990. He was one of the founders of the Georgia Engineering Foundation, serving as President and awarding many scholarships to Engineering and Engineering Technology students each year. For many years, he and his wife published the Georgia Professional Engineer Magazine under the company name Drexel-Lee Associates. He retired in 1992 as Professor Emeritus of the University System of Georgia and moved from Dunwoody, GA., to Ellabell, GA. and the Drexel Farm where his success all began. Rod was a member of Ellabell United Methodist Church and served on the cemetery committee for many years.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 – 1:00 P.M. Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Ellabell United Methodist Church.

Funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Ellabell United Methodist Church with Reverend Clay Loadman and Pastor Stan Tyson officiating.

Interment will be held in the Ellabell United Methodist Church Cemetery with military honors.

To sign the online register, please visit www.flanderspowellfuneralhome.com.

Flanders Powell Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements of Mr. Julian “Rod” Ralston Lee.