Lawrence David Lee, known to many as Larry, passed away on September 6, 2025, in Ashland, Tennessee, just days shy of his 80th birthday. He was born on September 15, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Chite S. Lee and Grace M. Ye. Raised by his beloved grandmother, Moona M. Ye, after the loss of his parents at a young age, Larry grew into a man defined by resilience, discipline, and creativity.
He graduated from Mackenzie High School in 1964 before proudly serving his country in the United States Army from November 1965 to November 1967. A man of strong values and community spirit, Larry was a longtime member of The Palestine Lodge #357, Free & Accepted Masons, in Detroit, Michigan.
His devotion to martial arts was one of his life’s great callings. A Third Degree Black Belt in Karate (D.K.I.) and a Master of Tai Chi and Qigong, he studied for more than fifty years and generously shared his knowledge with others for over three decades. Larry taught as many as fifteen classes a week at local YMCAs across the Nashville area, the Maryland Farms Healing Institute, Brentwood, the Unitarian Church, and even spent time instructing at the famed Muhammad Ali Training Camp in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Outside of martial arts, Larry expressed his creativity and curiosity through photography, portrait drawing, stained glass artistry, and the culinary arts. Each hobby reflected his deep appreciation for beauty, detail, and craftsmanship.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his grandmother, Moona M. Ye; his sister, Patricia A. Linn; and his brother, Jeffrey E. Lee. He is lovingly remembered by his siblings: Gordon (Karen) Lee, Judy (Dan) Coates, Sharon (Daniel) Manquen, and sister-in-law Nancy Lee. He leaves behind a wide circle of nieces and nephews – Denise, Christopher, Renee, Kerrie, Tracy, Kelley, Rani, Daren, Aaron, Dawn, April, Julianne, Laura, Derek, Ryan, and Luke – each of whom carry forward a part of his legacy.
Larry’s interment will take place on October 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 7931 McCrory Lane, Nashville, Tennessee, where he will be laid to rest with military honors in the city he so dearly loved.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation (T2T) or the Wounded Warrior Project, in honor of Larry’s service and lifelong dedication to others. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
This obituary was published by Boyd Funeral Home.
This obituary was published by Obituaries provided free for the community.
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