Lee H. Minor

Lee Hammack Minor of Webster died with family by his side on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Skyland Care Center in Sylva. This followed a period of declining health, He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 1, 1943, the only son of the late Lawrence and Frances Minor. He was named after an uncle who died in combat in World War II while serving as a pilot with the 23“ Fighter Group (Flying Tigers) of the U.S. Army Air Corps.

 In 1948 the family moved from northern Mississippi to Brinkley, Arkansas, where Lee was raised and was valedictorian of his high school graduation class. He then attended Hendrix College where he was a valuable member of their basketball team. While at Hendrix Lee majored in mathematics followed by graduate study at Vanderbilt University, where he earned a Ph. D. degree.

 In September 1968 Lee moved to Jackson County, North Carolina, where he began an academic career spanning the years 1968-2002 as a member of the mathematics faculty at Western Carolina University. During 2002-2024 he worked at his “retirement job” as a seasonal tax return preparer at the H & R. Block office in Sylva.

 A summer job at Glacier National Park in 1965 led to a life-long interest in locations administered by the National Park Service. This led to a 1985-86 academic year faculty exchange in Flagstaff, Arizona, and numerous trips to our western states. His soul was captured by the spirit of the Grand Canyon upon his first hike below the rim, Sixteen more hikes into the canyon followed which included overnights, rim to rim, and a variety of trails. In all Lee visited more than 60 NPS sites from Maine to California to Alaska. These trips inspired interests in landscape photography, environmentalism, and humane treatment of animals.

 Lee supported several nonprofits in accordance with his values and beliefs including not only those out west, but also those locally. For a time he served as an advisor with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and was instrumental in the the refurbishing of Graveyard Fields which was one of his favorite local hikes. 

Survivors include his wife Linda, her children Tamara (Tommy) Kelly and Travis Turrentine along with her grandchildren Adam Kelly, Mary Kelly (Cam, fiancee), Keaton Turrentine, and Salem Turrentine. Her grandson, Isaac Kelly, predeceased Lee. He is also survived by a sister Mary Beth (Rick) Latimer, nephew Ryan Latimer, nephew Brandon (Krystal) Keen along with their children, Evie and Byron and niece Brooke (Ethan) Junker and their children Lawson and Quinn.

Lee accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior when he was ten years old. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Sylva for more than 40 years serving in multiple capacities including on the Board of Deacons, Budget and Finance Committee, and as Sunday School teacher. 

No matter the avenues Lee pursued or the venues in which he served, Lee became known for his brilliant mind, keen memory, ability to decipher complex issues, and ease of communicating his findings and information with others in ways that were understandable. These characteristics were seen throughout his life from teaching students at Western Carolina University, offering lectures in the academia community, articles written that were important in the world of math, plus his teaching and leadership in the church. His tenure at H&R Block offered the camaraderie, family, and professionalism in which he thrived. At his request rather than a formal funeral, A Celebration of Life will be a casual gathering around tables following a Wednesday evening fellowship meal in the Mission and Fellowship Center at First Baptist Church, Sylva, where folks will be invited to share “Lee stories”. 

His cremated remains will be mingled with those of his beloved cocker spaniel best friends, Happy and Sonny, along with his adopted neighborhood Golden Retriever, Casey, before being scattered at Lee's favorite scenic viewpoint in western North Carolina. 

Memorial gifts are suggested for First Baptist Church of Sylva (669 W. Main St., Sylva, NC 28779) or the Humane Society of Jackson County (PO Box 298, Sylva, NC 28779). 

Thank you to the employees at Skyland Care Center and Four Seasons Hospice Care for their special care during these last years.