Letters to the Editor

Thank you for your tribute to Gary Lee on December 16. Special thanks to Mark Hansen and Brenda Jordt for putting yourselves into it with so much gusto…just the way you play ball! Those T-shirts with Gary's high school basketball picture are something else! Gary would have been overwhelmed with all the expressions of love and appreciation — big boys do cry and he would have teared up for sure. It is hard to find words to express my feelings, but my heart was bursting with thankfulness, pride and love for this community when you honored him. Those who knew him well knew where his heart was. The days he spent at the Ferndale basketball court were such a part of who he was. The beautiful plaque you gave me is hanging on my wall here in Kearny, Ariz. and it will come home with me next spring. I cherish it.

Thank you Bigfork Vals for those special hugs after the tribute. They were my undoing, but what a special memory to hold in my heart. My thanks to those of you who stopped after the game for a chat and cookies. I am sorry the boy's game was cancelled. After all the work to make the tribute special for both teams, that was a disappointment.

One correction I would like to make concerns those who were instrumental in starting the Bigfork Boosters Club. Arnie Aklestad and Gary's father, Byron Lee, were two of the original founders of the Club. Arnie can probably provide some history if you are interested. He continues to be a stalwart Bigfork sports fan always sitting in the stands behind the team bench.  

There was months of work and planning behind the tribute that may go unnoticed, but Gary's family and I appreciate it so much! Thank you for letting us know he had a lasting impact in a positive way. 2 Timothy 4:7 says "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Although he may not have said those words, Gary lived by those words.  I believe he would want those of you who are still competing to remember them as you continue to represent your community, your school and yourself in whatever activities you undertake.

Thank you again for letting us know Gary Lee made a difference. I look forward to reading about the students and teams online and in the paper - I'll be following a Gary Lee early-morning tradition (although I'm not as good at it as he was).

Keep safe. Love and God bless,

Betty Lee and the Lee Family