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Bernard "Bernie" Dewey Lee, age 77 of Ogallala, passed away on Monday, March 31, 2008 at the Ogallala Community Hospital.

He was born on a ranch south of Madrid, Nebraska the son of Dewey and Lilly (Kirchner) Lee.

Bernie graduated from the Madrid High School where he was the Salutatorian of his graduating class. He lettered for four years in track and basketball and two years in football. He was also King of the Prom and was named to Boys State and was All State in both basketball and football. He was coined by Greg McBride of the Omaha World Herald as "the fastest man in football shoes in 1948".

After graduation from high school Bernie attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy focusing his studies on pay clerk and accounting. After his academy training, he was stationed at South San Francisco Air and Sea Rescue during the Korean Conflict.

On April 13, 1952, Bernie married lifetime sweetheart Norma Jeanne Lovenburg in Ogallala. Jeanne then accompanied Bernie to continue his service with the U.S. Coast Guard in San Francisco and New London, CT.

They returned to Ogallala in 1954 when Bernie and his father in law, Lawrence M. Lovenburg, started B & L Sporting Goods. It was a viable operation from 1954 until 1962, and it was during this time Bernie collected most of his money to build Ogallala’s first softball field with lights and started a water ski and boat club. He also helped the JayCee’s build sand greens at the golf course and put in the first boat ramp at Lake Ogallala with Rod Shelbourne.

He was appointed rural letter carrier by Senator Roman Lee Hruska in 1960. He so loved his patrons on Rural Route 2 and enjoyed serving them until 1982. Bernie also sold insurance, farmed, ranched and raised registered quarter and paint horses for sixty plus years, priding himself in their superior confirmation, disposition and foundation bloodlines.

Bernie enjoyed bowling, softball, water skiing, Sheriff’s Posse wherein he was the Diamond Jubilee Sheriff during Ogallala’s historical 75^th Anniversary Celebration, horseback riding, showing and judging both quarter and paint horses at shows.

Bernie was Master of the Ogallala Masonic Lodge in 1967, Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star Chapter with Jeanne in 1972 and again with Barb Bauman in 1982. He was Associate Guardian of the Ogallala Job’s Daughters for seven years.

He was a member of Ogallala Masonic Lodge # 159 AF & AM, Scottish Rite and Shrine of Lincoln, V.F.W. and Disabled American Veterans. Bernie spent years in the Jr. Chamber of Commerce and the Ogallala Chamber of Commerce. Bernie was a senior deacon and registered agent for twenty six years at the First Congregational Church as well as serving as two time moderator.

Bernie judged horse shows for 4-H and was Nebraska’s first American Paint Horse Association judge appointed by the APHA. Bernie held close his love of AQHA and APHA horses and spent over sixty five years in the business of breeding, training and showing them.

He is survived by his four daughters and their husbands and children; Elizabeth "Beth" Lee Robinson of Little Rock, AR, grandchildren Jarred Robinson of Ogallala,NE, Lauren Robinson of New Orleans, LA; Cathy Carpenter Dea and husband Peter Dea of Golden, CO, grandchildren, Austin, Drake and Cort Carpenter of Golden, CO and step-grandson Chris Carpenter of Littleton, CO, Mindy Borden and husband Arrie Borden of Gladewater, TX and grandchildren Seth Nobles and Alexis Clark and step-grandson Matt Borden, and Kristi O’Neal and husband Shawn O’Neal of Evergreen, CO and grandchildren Kelsey and Denton O’Neal. Two brothers, Kenneth Lee of Grant, NE and Theron Lee of Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jeanne Lee, his parents, Dewey and Lilly Lee, a sister Evelyn Lee and brothers, Harold and Dale Lee.

Services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at the Ogallala United Methodist Church with Pastor Jim Miller and Jay Towell officiating. Burial was in the Ogallala Cemetery with Eastern Star Rites conducted by the Ogallala Chapter 142 OES and Masonic Rites conducted by the Ogallala Masonic Lodge # 159 AF & AM. Military Honors were rendered by the Keith County Veteran’s Organizations.

A memorial was established in his memory. Gubser Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.