Ferrel “Cork” Wesley Lee, age 80, of Defiance, Ohio, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at The Laurels of Defiance.

Cork was born on September 7, 1946, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late Ferrel Wesley and Effie Bell Lee.

He was a 1964 graduate of Defiance High School. Cork later returned to school and graduated as Valedictorian from The Defiance College in 1992. One of the proudest and most special moments of his life was graduating from college on the very same day as his son, Mark, and daughter, Melissa.

Cork proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1964 to 1967 during the Vietnam Era. He went on to work for SK Hand Tool for 35 years, until the company closed.

For many years, Cork and his wife, Sally, were also familiar faces in the Sherwood community as the owners and operators of Lee’s Market. Together, they owned the store from 1976 until 2013. Cork and Sally truly loved their years at Lee’s Market and treasured the many wonderful friendships they made with customers and members of the community along the way.

Family was always at the center of Cork’s life. On many Friday and Saturday nights, you could find him in the stands cheering for his sons and grandsons at Fairview Apache and Hicksville Aces ballgames. He was equally proud to watch his daughter and granddaughter cheer at games and competitions for the Apaches and Aces. Cork was also an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on.

Above everything else, Cork loved his family. He especially loved Sally, the girl he met when he was just 14 years old and who became the love of his life. Cork and Sally recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary—a lifetime together filled with love, family, hard work, and countless memories.

He dearly loved his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his little dog, Walker. Cork was an amazing husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa, and his family will forever cherish the love, laughter, guidance, and memories he gave them.

Cork is survived by his beloved wife, Sally (Nicely) Lee of Defiance; his children, Todd Lee of Phoenix, Arizona, Mark (Cynthia) Lee of Tierra Verde, Florida, and Melissa (Ryan) Breininger of Edgerton, Ohio; his grandchildren, Zachary (Katelyn) Lee of Hicksville, Ohio, Katelynn Greer of Dayton, Ohio, Jacob (Allyson) Greer of Loris, South Carolina, Luke Breininger of Edgerton, Ohio, and Nick Breininger of Edgerton, Ohio; and his great-grandchildren, Brewer Greer and Emerson Lee, with another baby boy Greer on the way.

Cork was also blessed with two lifelong friends, David Karnes and Jim Zipfel, whose friendship remained steadfast throughout his life and who never left his side. Their friendship meant more to Cork and his family than words can ever say.

Cork lived a life centered around the people he loved most. Whether he was working alongside Sally at Lee’s Market, sitting in the stands cheering for his family, watching his Buckeyes, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, or simply being at home with Sally and Walker, Cork was happiest when surrounded by those he loved.

He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Defiance, Ohio. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com