He was born on September 15, 1922 in Peoria, the son of James Harvey and Frieda Marie (Sipp) Cross. He graduated from Washington High School and attended the University of Illinois where he studied engineering and played trumpet in the Marching Illini. In 1941 Lee enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet, subsequently transferring to the 652nd Army Air Corp Band. Following his discharge from the service, Lee started working at Caterpillar Tractor Company. What began as a temporary job turned into a 36 year career with the manufacturer. In 1944 Lee married Ruth Attig. They became acquainted when Lee was working in the grocery store owned by RuthA