Obituary for Lee Herk (Sunrise July 21, 1935 – Sunset January 16, 2024) Lee Howland Herk, Sr was born July 21, 1935, in Gardner, Massachusetts where he was raised before leaving for the military. He served in the Airforce on his first tour, and then transitioned to the Army where he served the remainder of his 23 years. Most of Lee’s service was spent overseas in Germany, Okinawa Japan, Korea, and Vietnam where he worked his way up the ranks before finally retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer in 1975. He settled in Arizona, specifically for the weather. Lee was a lifelong learner, he enrolled at Arizona State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in secondary education and industrial arts. After graduating, Lee served as a Sergeant for the Arizona Department of Corrections until he retired again in 1997. Lee met Brenda Porell in 1993 at the Phoenix Air Force Base Commissary. They would marry ten years later in 2003. Lee and Brenda enjoyed traveling to various locations, including their favorite destination Las Vegas, Nevada and their favorite casinos, Sam’s Town and Gold Coast. The two built a lively farm at their home in Mesa, Arizona, where they would raise and keep their dog, Penny, two horses Red and Breezy, their two goats Jen and Jerry, their roosters PeeWee and “The Big Show”, two geese Charlie and Angel, their “miniature pig” Rose, numerous chickens, and two sheep. They later also adopted their beloved pup Lupe in 2021. Lee’s favorite activity when not taking road trips with Brenda was working on his land – mending broken fences, animal pens and chicken coops, and getting his chicken feed from the old, repurposed Chrysler in the backyard. Lee passed at the age of 88, on January 16, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda, son James Porell, wife Michelle, and their family, Stefan, Steffen, Shayla, Amare; his son John Porell, wife Angel, and their family, Savon, Naiya, Gabriella, Braylen; daughter Dao Cao, and her two sons Anthony and Andy; and seven great-grand kids. His daughter Barbara Herk; his two sons, Ronald Herk and Lee Herk Jr. Lee was blessed to have close neighbors that were like family; Eli and his wife Teresa and their two girls; David and his wife Tina. He is remembered for his lessons in golfing on the shed of the farm, his love for keno, his vivid storytelling, his love for classic country music, action and western movies, western culture, and reading. Lee often used the term of endearment, “Partner”, for his loved ones. Lee loved to spend time with his family and friends and he will be greatly missed by us all. In the early 2000s, when asked what he loved most in life, he replied “Life itself”. He also left the family with a quote “No Tears. The happiest days in the person’s life are the day born and the day died.” – Grandpa Lee