Lee Raymond DeBevoise, 76, of Friend, NE went home to be with Jesus on Friday, April 11, 2025. He had been in declining health for over a year. Born in Paterson, New Jersey, he lived most of his life in Millville, New Jersey, before moving to Friend in 1998.
He met his wife, Sharon Stanley, in 1968 at Glassboro State College, now Rowan University. They married and had two children, Suzanne Victoria and Richard Lee.
As a Corpsman in the U.S. Navy, he obtained the rank of E-3. Lee graduated as an RN from Cumberland County College with a summa cum laude Masters in Communications from LaSalle University. He was a registered nurse for over 40 years, working in Cardiac Nursing, The American Red Cross in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Bryan Home Heath, Lincoln.
After retiring from nursing, as editor of the Friend Sentinel, he was proud that it won several awards. He also started his own business, Computer Tutor, where he designed websites, taught technology to senior citizens and the general public as well as servicing and selling computers and accessories.
Among the many awards Lee received, he was listed in several editions of Who’s Who in America,won music awards in trumpet, photography and writing awards. He was appointed an Admiral in the Great Navy of the state of Nebraska and was honored with a Quilt of Valor.
His hobbies included coin and stamp collecting and he especially enjoyed fishing with friends and family. Lee was an avid reader, both books and on his Kindle. For several years, he was a photo/journalist with B.A.S.S. Anglers Sportsman Society and covered many tournaments around the country.
Lee loved the Lord and at many different times was a lay preacher, Sunday School teacher and Youth Leader.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon, Friend; daughter, Suzanne DeBevoise, and boyfriend, Jeff Dietzel, Mansfield, Massachusetts; grandsons, Alexander J. McIlvaine and girlfriend, Amber Sutton, Falls City, and Richard C. DeBevoise and his wife Sarah, Cape May, New Jersey; two great-grandsons, Hunter and Jackson DeBevoise; special friends, Tim and Karen McIlvaine, Cordova, as well as many friends and other relatives. He was predeceased by his son, Richard Lee; his parents, Raymond and Dorothy DeBevoise; his in-laws, Jesse and Doris Stanley; as well as two brothers-in-law.
A service will be in Friend on Thursday, April 17 at 3 p.m., including military honors by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard and Ford Banka Post #183, American Legion, Friend. Visitation is one hour prior to the service at Lauber Funeral Home in Friend. Memorial contributions are suggested to Tunnels to Tower, 2361 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island, NY 10306, donationsupport@t2t.org. Burial will be at a later date in Millville, New Jersey.
Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services, Friend.
