Gerald Roderick Lee (Lansing)

Mr. Gerald R. Lee, Sr., a man who never met a stranger, transitioned from labor to reward on Monday, December 16, 2024, in Lansing, Michigan, at the age of 70 years old. He was born on Wednesday, March 24, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, to Josephine (Griffin) and Alex Lee. Raised in Lansing, Michigan, Gerald attended Lansing public schools, where his quick wit and infectious laughter made him unforgettable. He shared a deep bond with all of his siblings. He made childhood memories in Lansing with Susie, Jeffery, and Donnii Sturdivant. In his 20s, he met his six Lee sisters: Renée, Adrienne, Linda, Felicia, Sharon, and Kim, with whom he was immediately close.

Gerald was a storyteller, a jokester, and a light in every room. Known for his big heart and personality, he brought joy to others with his humor and warmth.

In his younger years, Gerald was the life of the party, a founding member of Club Vanguard, and a talented DJ and singer alongside his brother. He was well known and popular all over Lansing, Michigan. He’s always been a sports enthusiast and multi-sport athlete.

He spent his career with the phone company, relocating to Atlanta, Georgia; Denver, Colorado; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Des Moines, Iowa, and returning to Lansing, Michigan, in retirement. He enjoyed celebrating Black history, knowing Black facts, and collecting “Afrocentric” items. He was also a devoted fan of the Detroit Lions and Michigan State University. He enjoyed spending time with his family, bowling, watching the news, playing games with his wife, and collecting Black Santas.

Gerald wasn’t afraid to keep trying at love. Though he was married before, in 2015, Gerald met the love of his life, Michelle, and on Friday, May 7, 2016, they were married. Together, they built a life filled with love and laughter in Lansing. They blended their family with four adult kids: Gerald, Jasmine, Benjamin, and Alicia.

In his 60s, he joined Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church (PRBC) in Lansing, Michigan, and gave his life to Christ. He faithfully served as an usher and a Men After God’s Own Heart (MAGOH) member. He graduated from the PRBC School of Discipleship alongside Michelle in 2017. In 2019, he was honored to be asked to serve as a deacon.

After retiring in Lansing, he started working for RSVP, where he connected senior volunteers across the city of Lansing. He and Michelle volunteered all over the city, once recognized as “Top Volunteers of the Year,” and later became Certified Tourism Ambassadors of the Greater Lansing Visitor and Convention Bureau.

Gerald leaves to cherish his loving memories, his wife, Michelle; children, Gerald (Ashlee), Jasmine, Benjamin, and Alicia; grandkids Jacqui, Kamran, Kenzi, and Kennedy, bonus grands, Brooklynn and Baylei-Rae; sister, Susie (Preston), and Lee sisters, Renée (Nathan), Adrienne, Linda (Paul), Felicia (Grover), Sharon, and Kim; 22 nieces and nephews he regularly doted over; cherished aunts, Bernice, Irene and Marie, as well as his god-sister, Melissa Williams, she also held a special place in his heart, many other relatives and friends and grand-dogs and cat: Batman, Chico, Remington, and Sergio.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Josephine Sturdivant and Alex Lee; siblings, Donnii and Jeffery Sturdivant; niece, Dominique Sturdivant; aunts Vernetta Edmond and Katherine Sturdivant; Godmother, Anna L. Williams, and his cherished lifelong friend, Zamora Bibbs.

Gerald will be remembered as a man full of life, love, and laughter. His legacy of joy, service, and faith will continue to inspire all who knew him.