SPC Cody James Lee, United States Army, Ret.

Cody James Lee, "Toad" to family, was born August 3, 1984 in Idaho, and passed away September 22, 2012, at the age of 28, at his home in Little River Academy, Texas.



Cody attended West High School in Anchorage, and later moved back to Idaho.  He joined the United States Army in 2006, serving 3 1/2 years, including deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq.  His service took him to Killeen, Texas where he met and married his love, Angela.  They had a beautiful baby boy, Landon Scott Lee on September 13, 2010.


Cody was retired for medical reasons  from the Army in 2010.  He was a volunteer firefighter for the local fire department, and had just received his Certification in Phlebotomy.


Cody's hobbies included  outdoor activities and spending time with his family and friends.











A Celebration of Life was held on October 30 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen.  In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter.


A United States Army Chaplain led the gathered family and friends in final prayers, and read the scripture, John 11, 25-26.

 "Jesus said unto [Martha], I am the resurrection, and the life:  he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.  Believest thou this?"
















The United States Army Honor Detail afforded full military honors. The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country.  The Army bugler played taps.









The American flag that had rested next to the cremains, was carefully unfolded and refolded into the traditional triangle.  It was ceremoniously passed to a Non-Commissioned Officer who presented it to Angela on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Cody's honorable and faithful service.









Cody's step-father addressed the gathering and thanked them, on behalf of Cody's Alaska family, for being present.






Angela then spoke.  Amongst her comments was the explanation of a photograph that was on display that showed Cody and Landon with shaving cream on their faces.  She said that Landon always insisted on "shaving" with his daddy.







Angela placed Cody's cremains into a niche of the columbarium wall, where they were sealed for all of time.

Throughout the service, two year old Landon played around the area, blessedly unaware of the significance of the proceedings.

"If the essence of my being has caused a smile to have appeared upon your face, or a touch of joy within your heart, then in living - I have made my mark."  Thomas L. Oden Jr.

With thanks to legacy.com for biographical information and to Ceej Foy for additional photograph.