Vernon Francis Lee, 60, of Lakeland, Fla., died Sunday after a battle with leukemia.

He was the son of the late John E. Lee Jr. and Edna Cole Lee.

His childhood years were spent in Petrolia, where his father owned the Lee Drug Store. He and his family then lived in Chicora, and in 1974, Vernon, with his mother and father, moved to Lakeland.

He is survived by a brother, John E. Lee III of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and a sister, Linda Lee Gleason of Many, La.

Mr. Lee will be remembered for his sense of humor, his open heart and his kindness to all. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

<B>LEE </B>— Burial for Vernon Francis Lee, who died Sunday, July 16, 2006, will be at the Lee family plot at St. Mary Cemetery, Latrobe.Memorial gifts may be sent to the Good Shepard Hospice, 1919 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33805.Arrangements are being handled by the <B>Frederick Funeral Home</B>, Latrobe.