B. R. Lee, founder of B. R. Lee Industries (LeeBoy) passed away suddenly on Friday, May 9, 2003 at the age of 69. B. R. and his wife, Nelda, began making pavers in their Charlotte garage in 1964.

Over the next 36 years, he and his family built the company that today is the leading manufacturer of commercial asphalt paving equipment in the world. The company’s continued success forced them out of their garage and into larger facilities, and eventually to LeeBoy’s current 20-acre site in Denver, NC.

In 2000, B. R. retired from the family business and sold the business to Crescent Capital of Atlanta, GA. The Lee family still maintains a minority ownership in the business.

B. R.’s vision and entrepreneurial drive helped him to establish the standard for today’s self-propelled commercial size asphalt paver.

As his business grew, he broadened thproduct offering for the preparation, placement and maintaining of asphalt surfaces. His legacy continues today as many members of the Lee family continue to expand and develop the LeeBoy family of products.

"B. R. was a man of great enthusiasm and drive," according to LeeBoy’s President and COO, Kelly Majeskie. "He lived life to the fullest and will be remembered for his guidance to the Lee family and the impact of the LeeBoy mark on the asphalt industry. B. R. will be greatly missed by the entire LeeBoy organization and our thoughts and prayers are with the family."

He is survived by his wife, Nelda Grigg Lee at the home; three sons, William ’Michael’ Lee and wife Tammie of Newton, NC, Robert ’Keith’ Lee and wife, Diane of Newton, NC, Eric Craig Lee and wife, Annette of Maiden, NC; daughter, Teresa ’Sissy’ Weese and husband Tommy of Catawba, NC; brothers, Willard ’Fim’ Lee of Maiden, NC, Carroll Lee of Newton, NC; sister, Dot Lee Lineberger of Maiden, NC; 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to: Catawba Valley Baptist Church, 3390 Shepherd Road, Maiden, NC 28650, American Heart Association, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216 and Boy Scouts of American, Piedmont Council, PO Box 1059, Gastonia, NC 28053.

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