Emmett W. Lee

On Wednesday March 31st, Emmett Lee, loving husband, father and grandad went to heaven to be with his Lord.

Emmett was born in Nixa, Missouri on July 8, 1936.  He moved with his family to Manteca where he worked on his parents dairy farm. Emmett graduated from Manteca High School in 1954. He attended Modesto Junior College and San Jose State University where he played baseball and was the starting quarterback on the football team. He graduated from San Jose State in 1959 where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. He obtained his California Teaching Credential in 1960.

Emmett married the love of his life, Donna, on March 31,1961. They were blessed with 60 happy years together. The love they had for each other was an inspiration to their family and all who knew them. Emmett passed away on their 60th wedding anniversary. 

He was a well-loved teacher and coach at Tracy & West High Schools for 38 years. Emmett taught Physical Education, Health, Geography, and Drivers Training. He coached football, basketball, baseball and wrestling for many years. He was the golf coach at Tracy High for over 30 years. 

Besides his teaching and coaching, Emmett will be remembered for his focus and passion for physical fitness.  He led by example and was an avid runner and weight lifter well into his sixties.  He rode his bike to school, every day, come rain or shine for his entire career. 

After retiring, Emmett began coaching his grandchildren. He coached in both Tracy Babe Ruth and Tracy Little Leagues. In 1995, he moved to a home on Lammers Road where he built two baseball fields and a batting cage. Many happy memories were made and shared there with his grandchildren and the Tracy Community. He taught hundreds of players to love the game of baseball and he continued to coach until two days before his death.

The Tracy community will remember his passion for youth sports and his vast knowledge of the game. However, his children and grandchildren will remember him most, for his extraordinary love and kindness. He will be greatly missed but his legacy will continue to live on forever in their hearts.

Emmett is survived by his wife, Donna and his two daughters, Dana and her husband Ernest Avila and Jamie and her husband Stephen Wesely.  He also leaves behind eight grandchildren; Jason Avila, Aaron Avila, Joshua Wesely, Jonah Wesely, Jenna Wesely, Jacob Wesely, Jonathan Wesely & Joel Wesely.

Fry Memorial Chapel, 550 South Central Avenue, Tracy has been entrusted in the care of his funeral arrangements. Visitation hours will be Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 2:00 to 7:00 pm. The family invites you to honor his life and legacy at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 8, 2021. Mr. Lee will be laid to rest immediately following at Valpico Memorial Park, 12815 West Valpico Road, Tracy. Services can be viewed via his tribute page at www.frymemorialchapel.com. An online guest book is also available for condolences and special messages to the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations in honor of Emmett Lee be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tracy online at www.bgctracy.org/donate.php or by mail to: Boys & Girls Club at 753  W. Lowell Ave. Tracy, CA 95376.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Emmett W. Lee, please visit our floral store.