Zebulon Curtis Lee
April 18, 1911 ~ August 1, 1998
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Zeb Lee, longtime radio station owner and announcer, died Saturday, August 1, 1998. A native of Monterey, Tenn., he was the son of the late Zebulon Porter and Rhoda Speck Lee.
He began his career with WISE Radio in 1939, worked with WPTF in Raleigh, NC in 1941 until entering the Army Air Corps in W.W. II. He served in Public Relations during the war and upon returning to Asheville, he was one of the founders of WSKY in 1947 and then founded WZLS in 1994. Always active in sports broadcasting, it is estimated that during his career, he called over 4000 football and basketball games at the high school, college and semi-professional levels.
He began his career with WISE Radio in 1939, worked with WPTF in Raleigh, NC in 1941 until entering the Army Air Corps in W.W. II. He served in Public Relations during the war and upon returning to Asheville, he was one of the founders of WSKY in 1947 and then founded WZLS in 1994. Always active in sports broadcasting, it is estimated that during his career, he called over 4000 football and basketball games at the high school, college and semi-professional levels.
He was a member of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass.
Zeb is survived by his wife, Betty Walden Lee; sons, Brian and Barry Lee of Asheville and his brother, Joseph S. Lee of Franklin.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 pm Monday at the funeral home on Patton Avenue.
Memorials may be made to Eliada Home, P.O. Box 16708, Asheville, NC 28816.
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Zeb Lee taught a lot of us to be caring and community minded. His love and devotion to Betty, Bryon and Barry was always the one consistant in him life. A valued member of this community and a personal friend. I love you big guy!
The Lee family has been one of significant impact on my life. I am with you always in my thoughts.
No one – at no time – has ever shown more kindness and support for me and the young athletes in Western North Carolina.
Zeb Lee was a champion and one of my heros. I know he is in Blue Heaven – the place he always wanted to be. I will never forget him. I will miss him forever.
Tom Brown
Class of 1971
Clyde A. Erwin High School
Dear Betty and your boys.
Neil and I were out of town and returned to learn of zebs passing. We want to extend to you our deepest sympathy and to let you know you are in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anythiing we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to call.
Sandra and Neil Martin
August 6, 1998 23:11:32
We were so sad when we realised that we had not signed the memorial guest book for my beloved brother, Zebulon Lee, when we were present at the service on August 4th, 1998. We love him and miss him, our thoughts are always with him.
I am going to miss you Zeb. For over thirty years you never hesitated to stop what ever you were doing to take time to talk with me. I never told you this in life but you were like a father figure to me as well as a real friend. WNC has not lost a good man. You left your mark on this community for the benefit of all who will come in to this place in the future. My children loves what you did with the ZLS, Zeb Lee’s Station. I am glad I was able to visit you on a couple of occations at the VA Hosp. before you past on. My prayers are with your family. Your friend, Jim
We miss our dear friend as though he were a member of our own family.
Sincerely,
Margaret & Karl
I never met Zeb, i was living in Las Vegas, NV., blissfully unaware of WZLS and the saga that was unfolding here in Asheville. I have become friends with Brian and Barry since relocating here in March of 1999 and tuning in almost immediately to the Z/96.5 and eventually visiting the station practically every week. I am positive i would have become a friend of Zeb as well, i sure would have enjoyed the pleasure of being in his presence. It is coincedental that the last entry here on 03/20/1999 is the date i attended the Rolling Stones concert in Charlotte, it was the first concert i went to after moving in on 03/02/99. I am happy to have learned of Zeb and how he delivered the best in radio to the Asheville area. David Spratt.