Grover "Lee" Lee Ruppe, Jr.

Grover “Lee” Lee Ruppe, Jr., 73, of Newport, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at his home.

His memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at All Saints Anglican Church in Newport, officiated by Rev. Dave Linka.

Lee honorably served in the United States Navy where he received 2 purple hearts and a bronze star. He served on both the USS Bon Homme Richard and the USS America during his tour of duty in Vietnam.  He was a member and president of the local Machinist Lodge 2297 while employed with FRC East until he retired in 2002.  Lee was a Mason and belonged to the Sudan Temple, in New Bern, as a Shriner. He was an outdoors man that loved to fish at Cape Lookout. He was a man of integrity and was very loyal and protective of his family.

He is survived by his wife Becky Ruppe of the home; daughters, Debbie Baynard and husband, Terry, of Rutherfordton, Ronda Underwood and husband, TJ, of New Bern, Paula Logan and husband, Brad, of Havelock, Billie Jo Russell and finance, Brent Hardin, of Summerville, SC and Christina Riggs and husband, Earl, of New Bern; sons, Ricky Keever and wife, Febie, of Rutherfordton, Bill Buchele of Mathias, WV; 13 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Grover and Vira Ruppe and brother, Ronald Ruppe.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the 3HC Home Health and Hospice Care at 2402 Wayne Memorial Dr, Goldsboro, NC 27534 or to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory, Morehead City, NC.