Sterling LeRoy Pelfrey

Sterling LeRoy Pelfrey, who went by the name of Lee or nickname Captain, peacefully passed away at the age of 79 on Monday, September 17, 2018. He was surrounded by his loving family. He fought a long fierce battle with Parkinson’s disease and passed away due to complications from the disease. A Celebration of Life service will be held on November 10, 2018 at 2:00 pm. Please dress casual and in happy bright colors! The service will take place in the Columbarium at Cheatham Hill Memorial Park, 1861 Dallas Highway, Marietta, GA 30064. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkison.org. Lee was born on July 18, 1939 in Frankfort, Kentucky. He was the beloved husband and best friend of his wife of 47 years, Brenda Stiles Pelfrey. They married on November 27, 1971 in Atlanta at the Emory University Chapel. They knew each other for 50 year; that’s half a century! Lee was a devoted dad and loved his twin daughters Laura Lee Evans of Marietta, Georgia and Lisa Joy Lee of Hiram, Georgia. He enjoyed time with his sons-in-law, Calvin Ronnie Lee and Brian Michael Evans. He was also a loving granddaddy to Cali Joy Lee (6), Cohen Ronnie Lee (2), and Lacey Elizabeth Evans (1). Lee is survived by his brother and sisters, Philip Pelfrey of Frankfort, Ky, Becky Ramsay of Port St. Lucie, Fl, and Barbara Diprima of Marietta, Ga. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews whom he loved just as his own, Chris Rose, Mark Lance, Jeremy Lance, Jill Fitzpatrick (Rose), Emily Learned (Diprima), Natalie Roark (Pelfrey). Lee is proceeded in death by his parents and sister, Sterling Pelfrey-Father, Helen Pelfrey (Tussey)-Mother, and MarJane Pelfrey Rose-Sister. Lee served in the Navy and was stationed in Pensacola, Florida. He worked as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic Foreman and worked on the Blue Angels. After the Navy he graduated College from Eastern Kentucky University and moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he met his wife Brenda. They lived in Duluth, Georgia for 25 years and raised their two daughters there. Many great memories were made while living in Georgia. As they both moved into retirement they built their dream home on a beautiful canal in Josephine, Alabama. It was the perfect neighborhood that had a true beach bar, Pirates Cove, located just a short golf cart ride away! That may have helped seal the deal for the lot! Their new home was an oasis and entertained many vacationing friends and family. They lived in Josephine for 12 wonderful years. Lee and Brenda made lifelong friends while living in Duluth and Josephine. Once Lee’s Parkinson’s progressed, they moved back to Georgia to the city of Powder Springs to be close to family. Lee was a loyal hard-working man who always put family first while balancing the things that brought him joy. He had many hobbies and interests, but the ones that he was most passionate about where sailing, golfing, and painting pictures of whatever he desired. Sailing was his number one hobby and that brought him peace. Lee and Brenda joined the University Yacht Club at Lake Lanier and enjoyed many weekends at the club and on the boat. It became Lisa and Laura’s second home at a very young age and they became very good sunbathers and swimmers. They all enjoyed life on the boat. Then in Josephine, Lee’s dream came true and he got to dock his sailboat named Pelikan 2 in his backyard. He had access to his sailboat at any time and it was beautiful. Life could not get any better for him as he escaped the world and sailed. He enjoyed many boat races with friends as his crew and even won a few. Lee and Brenda became members of the Point Yacht Club in Josephine, Alabama where Lee was once the Commodore. Lee also enjoyed golfing with his buddies, which tested his nerves a few times. Lee loved those hobbies so much that he ended up getting a part time job during retirement at Barber Marina and then at a golf course. He loved interacting with people, so it was a great way for him to socialize and meet new people. Lee enjoyed painting and most of his paintings would end up being great memories of boating, ocean wildlife, and the beach. Lee’s interests were vacationing, social events, wine tasting, live music, and just having a good time wherever he was. He had a knack for dancing too! He worked hard to make sure life was enjoyed. Lee lived life to the fullest and his smile was genuine. He was witty and joked till the end. He was a very positive, compassionate, and special human being. He had a kind gentle soul and he will be missed. Lee kept this poem in his home office and it is fitting for the Captain who is now in heaven. Lee may your winds be favorable, your sails be filled, and the sunset gently on you. Sea Fever BY JOHN MASEFIELD I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking, And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking. I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.