Roll Call Tribute

Lee William Ries 

March 22, 1967 - November 11, 2024 

Lee William Ries ran straight into the arms of his Heavenly Father from his home in San Antonio, Texas on November 11, 2024, at the age of 57.

Lee was born on March 22, 1967, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas to Mary Clare (Corrington) and Jack Charles Ries.

Lee graduated from Lockhart High School in 1985 and joined the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman. Following Marine Corps basic training, Lee went on to Texas A&M University, where he served in the Corps of Cadets and played the sousaphone in the Fighting Texas Aggie Band. In 1987, life pulled Lee in a different direction, and he enlisted in the United States Army. He later returned to Texas A&M in 1998 to complete his Bachelor of Arts in Russian, graduating in the class of 2000.

During Lee’s time in the military, he served his country honorably. He was selected to attend the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School in 1993 and later achieved the rank of Captain in 1998. He separated from the Army in 2004 and continued to serve alongside the military as a government contractor, during which he completed two tours in Iraq, and then civilian government employee until his passing.

Lee met Deann Marie Efird through mutual friends in November 1985, building a friendship based on laughter as he and his friends often engaged in ridiculous shenanigans (with Deann as their unwitting accomplice). Lee married Deann in April 1987, in Caldwell County, Texas surrounded by friends and family in a spring garden wedding. They were married for 37 years, during which they welcomed their children Christopher Alexander and Ashlee Deann.

During Lee’s military career, he and Deann made life-long friends across the world who still shower them with love to this day. They often opened their home to anyone who needed a good meal, laughter, and kindness. Every year, they hosted upwards of thirty friends and family during Thanksgiving—anyone who had no place to go for the holidays always knew they had a seat at the table in the Ries home. That seat often came with Lee’s many dad jokes and boisterous anecdotes.

Lee was known to be a pitmaster, serving slow-smoked ribs, brisket, and turkey with pride. He loved waking up early in the morning to tend the smoker, often holding a cup of coffee in his hand and talking animatedly to his son Christopher. He used every excuse to break out the pit—Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, birthdays, anniversaries, and the random Tuesday. When spending the dark hours outside, Lee pursued his passion of astronomy by pulling out his telescope to study the stars and planets.

There was nothing Lee enjoyed more than playing with his kids and grandkids. Every weekend, Lee could be found running in the backyard, playing boardgames, and drawing with his grandson Levi and granddaughter Riley. He took great interest in the things that he shared with his children and grandchildren, evidenced by the joy he took in video games, books, fantasy football, sports, and boardgames. Lee filled his time by connecting with the people he loved—through conversation, games, and shared experiences.

Lee was passionate about exploring—both physically and mentally. Lee rarely stayed put in one place. When traveling for work, he never let an opportunity to see the sights and take part in local activities go to waste. During vacations with his wife Deann, Lee loved cruising the Caribbean Sea and sampling local cuisine, relaxing on the beach, and making fast friends aboard the ship. With a love of fantasy/science fiction novels, TV shows, and movies, Lee explored fictional locations—like Middle Earth, Tatooine, the Cosmere, and more. Lee used these experiences as opportunities to make new friends and deepen his relationships with loved ones.

Remaining to cherish Lee’s memory are his wife, Deann Ries; children Christopher Ries and Ashlee Dugan; son-in-law Ryan Dugan; grandchildren Levi Dugan and Riley Dugan; stepfather Donaly Brice; brothers John Ries, Karl Ries, and Robert Ries (Tracy); sister Jane Cushman; sister-in-law Debra Efird; nieces Jessica Williams and Andrea Bonilla-Santiago; nephews Andrew Ries (Lesley), Brandon Ries, and Devon Ries-Willson; great-nephew, Orlando Bonilla-Santiago; beloved cousin, Robert Dozier; beloved friends Suriah Bahr, Tom & Lisa Guyton, John & Claudia Ivester, Chris & Meagan Rizzo, Mitch & Lana Thompson, Eddie Chambliss, Harry Burgess, Jose Gomez; and beloved neighbors, and Scott, Mary Jo, and Charlotte Black.

Preceding Lee in death are his father, Jack Ries; mother, Clare Brice; father-in-law Jesse Efird; and mother-in-law Jeanne Efird.

Lee will receive full military honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with a Celebration of Life Reception following.