Joseph R. Gee, (76), a 50-year resident of Flagstaff, died on Thursday, November 1, 2007. Joe's family lived in the small town (pop. 300) of Mokena, Illinois. The nearest hospital, Silver Cross, in Joliet, Ill. was his birthplace on January 29, 1931. Subsequently, the family moved to the Chicago suburb of Beverly Hills/Morgan Park, where Joe graduated from grade school and Morgan Park High School in 1949. He was president of his freshman class and lettered multiple times in basketball, baseball and football.

At graduation, Joe had a principal appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. Upon arrival, he learned that he was red/green/brown color blind and was therefore unable to pursue his desire to be a pilot. His first alternate was very happy – Joe was not! As is usual, a disappointment can be turned into an opportunity. After working for a year, Joe enrolled at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and graduated in four years with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Before his senior year, Joe married the very beautiful and talented Mary Ellen Eddy, his great love and mother of their five children.

Joe was drafted in January 1955 and spent most of his two years of Army service in Schweinfurt, West Germany. Shortly after discharge, his family moved to Flagstaff in August 1957. He embarked on his 46-year career as an agent for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the U.S. (now AXA/Equitable). He achieved the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) degree in 1971 after five years of study and testing.

He was active in the community in various activities and service over the years. He was a Board member of Federated Church, Stewardship Chair and Treasurer. Mary Ellen and Joe also sponsored the Methodist Youth Fellowship for many years; President, Flagstaff Little and Senior League; President and long-time member of Flagstaff (noon) Kiwanis Club; President and Trustee of Flagstaff Community Hospital (now FMC); At the request of School Superintendent Sturgeon Cromer, Joe served on several ad hoc committees regarding remodeling and expansion of Flagstaff High School facilities including co-chair of the Committee on Racial Imbalance and Busing in the Flagstaff Unified School District; A founding Board Member and Corporate Secretary of the community-based Bank of Northern Arizona; Secretary and Treasurer, Flagstaff Golf Association/Aspen Valley Golf Club.

Joe is survived by four children and two daughters-in-law: Roger Gee, David Gee and Kathy Banning Gee, Douglas Gee and Gretchen Knudson Gee, and Jennifer Gee; two sisters Barbara Goetzinger and Charlotte Beath and brother Kenneth Gee. He was predeceased by both parents Joseph S. and Florence Koeller Gee; wife Mary Ellen Eddy Gee; and daughter Laura Ruth Gee. Also surviving are five beloved grandchildren, Jeremy, Nathaniel, Keegan (and husband Patrick), Regan, and Petra; and one great grandchild, Autumn.

The family spent many wonderful weekends boating, swimming, fishing, and waterskiing at Lake Powell with friends when the kids were in Junior and Senior High School. Joe loved fishing and golfing with his buddies, and was a regular at the "old goats" coffee group at Charly's.

Joe came to be known by many of his friends as SLET Joe (Sweet, Lovable, Even-Tempered!). He was a man of great integrity, compassion and generosity, and had a wonderful sense of humor. Joe followed the principle of "to have friends, you need to be a friend," which set a wonderful example for his children.

He will be deeply missed by those who had the privilege to know and love him, though we know he's already found a new fishing hole, and his golf swing is getting a workout on the most beautiful course imaginable.

Joe supported a number of different organizations, including Northland Hospice, Museum of Northern Arizona, Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff Assistance League, and many others. In lieu of flowers, his family encourages donations be made in his memory to one of these or any other local charity or community organization of the donor's choice.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. November 17, 2007 at Federated Community Church followed by a reception at Charly's in the Weatherford Hotel from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. All those who knew Joe are invited to come, share stories and lift a glass to celebrate a life well lived.