Blog

By Ingrid (Halsell) Goodwin – youngest daughter

It’s no surprise that John Lee lived to be in his mid-90s. He was a fighter who never gave up, bet on himself, and was known to beat the odds. He would often say joyfully that he wanted to reach 100 years old, like several other centenarians in the Halsell family who, by the grace of God, were gifted with longevity and good health. Even as he lay reclined in the hospital bed exactly one week before his death, he turned toward his grandson Keiron, who had taken out his phone to capture his grandpa’s words, and said in a raspy voice, “Do everything you can to keep me alive…” That was John Lee. That was Dad. He had a strong will to continue living and enjoying whatever quality of life God saw fit to provide him.

I will surely miss his love for life, which could be seen all over his face—especially when he flashed his big, contagious, trademark smile and let loose his snickering laugh.

John Lee was born on February 3, 1931, in the small town (in the country, as my parents used to say) of Panola, Alabama, to the union of Charlie and Sadie Halsell. He was the only child they had together, but he grew up with his younger brother Jerry Halsey and their two sisters, Cora Spres and Lonnie (Bea) Hargrove. He was raised by his Christian grandmother and, at an early age, accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Upon graduating from high school, he entered the United States Marine Corps as a teenager, where he honorably served and was deployed to fight in the Korean War. After his military service, he landed in Chicago, Illinois, where he met the love of his life—Alberta (Berry) Halsell. In 1958, the couple moved to Seattle, Washington, for better economic opportunities. They settled in Seattle’s Central District and were united in marriage on his birthday, February 3, 1959. They began raising their blended family, which included his oldest biological child, Jean (Halsell) Sanders, and his wife’s biological children Carolyn (Gilbert) Hawkins, Patricia (Gilbert) Berry, and Barry Gilbert. In 1962, the couple welcomed their first biological child, Tony, and three years later I (Ingrid) was born from their union.

My dad was the ultimate provider for his family, and I loved how he loved on my mom when she was a homemaker and supported her when she pursued her career and dreams. He always made sure she had the newest car—even when it meant he was driving an oldie. In the early 1960s, he purchased their first home on Beacon Hill in Seattle and later bought our family home in Skyway, where he resided for nearly 60 years until his passing. As a skilled electrician, he worked at Square D Electric Company for more than 20 years and later for the Boeing Company before he retired. Even in retirement, his work ethic would not allow him to be still. He began working for the Seattle Police Department as an elementary school crossing guard, where a whole new generation of children got the opportunity to experience his kindness and care.

When he was not working, John Lee was a true sportsman. He owned racehorses, became a skilled bowler with an average that would rival many professional bowlers, and was the fast-pitch star on his company’s employee softball team. On the weekend, he enjoyed shooting pool with his buddies or playing a competitive game of dominoes or cards. One of my earliest memories of my dad is of him teaching me how to shuffle and deal cards. I am right-handed, but he was left-handed so, of course, I learned to deal cards as if I was born a leftie. He was a “girl dad” before it became popular to be one. I remember how he bonded so strongly with my sister Patricia (Pat) over horse racing. I can picture them now, reunited in heaven, huddled over a racing form and reviewing their picks for the upcoming Kentucky Derby. I also remember my dad being the only dad on the soccer field with a bunch of soccer moms. He never missed a practice or a game, and I could always count on him to be there cheering me on whether I was playing soccer, basketball, or running track.

Watching Dad enjoy what would turn out to be his last meal brought so much joy to me and Tony. It was Sunday afternoon and the three of us were together in his hospital room watching the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game. It was a perfect day. Dad was devouring the rice, beef, and gravy mix on his plate (he never lost his appetite). I wanted to tell him to slow down eating, but every couple of seconds he kept maneuvering his spoon to strategically scoop up the biggest helping of food, and he looked so satisfied. In between bites, he would take a few minutes to glance up at the TV to check on the score and make a comment about how bad South Carolina was losing the game. He continued with dessert. First, it was a cup of red Jello, followed by applesauce, and finally he asked me to open the Hershey chocolate bar he had asked me to bring him the previous day. Later that afternoon, the hospital chaplain stopped by to visit and pray with Dad. A couple of days prior, Dad had been speaking quietly to God as I sat in the corner of his hospital room scrolling through my phone. I heard him say, “I know I don’t pray as much as I should, but Lord have mercy on my soul.”

I could go on forever writing about my dad, but I’m going to stop now. The tears won’t stop flowing and I can no longer see the words on my computer screen.

We love you, Dad. We love you, Grandpa. We love you, John Lee. Rest in power. Rest in peace—you were the best ever.

John Lee was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Alberta Halsell; daughters Jean Sanders and Patricia Berry; and grandson Jon Sanders—all of Seattle, Washington; his siblings Cora Spres, Ella Mae Halsell, and Willie Halsell; and children Sharon Halsell and John L. Halsell of Chicago.

Left to cherish his memory are his two siblings, Jerry Halsey and Bea Hargrove; children Ingrid (Halsell) Goodwin, Anthony Halsell, Barry Gilbert, Carolyn Hawkins, Cleo Sanders (son-in-law), Evelyn Halsell, and Michael Halsell; grandchildren Trinita (Sanders) Williams, Rekiya (Sanders) Janssen (Christopher), Keiron Goodwin, Khalil Goodwin, Quiana (Halsell) Brooks-Brown (Adrian), Jauna Gilbert, Nichole (Gilbert) Miller (Jimbo), Maleeka Gilbert, Sherry Jones (Jeffrey), Breard Jones Jr. (Tabitha), and Steve Harris; sister-in-law Mildred (Berry) Hall; 17 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who live in Seattle, Chicago, Denver, and Alabama.