Major Clinton “Clint” Lee was born on August 22, 1942, to Ellis and Liddie Lee of Pike County, Mississippi, and passed away on Monday, August 3, 2026 in Newport News, Virginia. Clint graduated from Mississippi State University and was the first in his family to earn a college degree. He would later attend the University of Virginia for advanced studies, earning his Master’s degree in Engineering. Clint was hired by NASA before graduating from MSU and would spend his entire career working with the agency. His first project was the Viking Project, and his name appears on “micro fish” in three places on the planet Mars. His last project was the one he felt most important and made him proud. It was the Windshear Project. Clint took delivery of the first Boeing 737 in Seattle, Washington, which had tail number N515 and became his laboratory. The plane is now on display in the Age of Flight Museum in Seattle. His co-worker told his family that “Clint” was the brightest and most futuristic man in the room. If someone were having trouble connecting the dots, they would ask Clint for his perspective. He was dependable, dedicated, detailed, and smart.
Once he retired, he spent his time with ham radio, genealogy, and volunteering at the church school cafeteria every week. He loved being with the children, and they loved him. He played golf until he made a hole-in-one. He loved fishing and fixing things. He would supervise your project or supervise the supervisor if you had one.
Clint passed away quietly with his wife, Carolyn, by his side.
Clint is survived by his wife, Carolyn Harbert Lee, and a sister, Mary Sue Fisher, in Mauenele, Arkansas. He also leaves behind Jeffrey C. Lee of Poquoson, Virginia; grandchildren, Megan E. Worley (Justin) and Wyatt C. Lee of Newport News, Virginia; nieces and nephews, Earl Lee and Lynn Lee, Roy Lee (Leslie) Larry E. Lee (Cindy), Debra Benedict Beverly Leonard, Randal Triplett, Bobby Sherman (Kendall), Lori Watson (Darren), their children, Bethany, Brittney, Dustin, Hunter Jesse and Travis; stepchildren, Mathew O. Harbert (Lorraine), Andrew D. Harbert (Rachel); grandchildren, Annie, Alex and Maddie.
Clint was preceded in death by his first loving wife, Kathryn L. Lee (Kaye), siblings, John, Dallas, Bobette, and Willis Dean.
The family will hold a visitation at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Newport News. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Clint’s name to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 100 Harpersville Road, Newport News, Virginia 23601, or the American Lung Association (www.donate.lung.org), PO Box 756, Osceola, WI 54020-0756, or call 1-800-586-4872 to find a local office near you.
9 Comments
Dear Carolyn and family,
Clint was a dear man. I am so sorry for your loss.
Dearest Carolyn and all of Clint’s family: we had the privilege of attending your wedding and several visits here in Florida of which his shining intellect was a joy and a wonder. His demeanor was quite, warm and kind. We miss him and send our deepest condolences and prayers to all of those that knew him, but especially you Carolyn your love is exemplary.
Love always,
Mar and Alan
Carolyn and family:
I’m sorry I never met any of you. I met Clint around 2000, as we were both genealogy nuts. He got me involved in some of the first DNA testing done on family groups, often joking that I was a “space alien” because I never matched anyone else. We talked many times for many hours over the years, and even met in person a few times over the years. He was a fine man, someone I admired on many levels. We are/were both engineers, so we even communicated on that level, too. I know he truly loved his family. He talked about you often over the years. He will be truly missed by his buddies in the genealogy world. RIP, my friend. (and no, we aren’t kin despite the common surname – I truly AM a space alien, or at least biologically from another family. Same thing…)
Clint, my dear cousin and friend that bought me into modern genealogical research. The methodology that he implemented is the standard throughout all family research and has reached around the globe. I am privileged to have been his friend, student and kin.
Dearest Carolyn and family,
Please know we are praying for you all. We feel so grateful for knowing Clint these past 7 years! We have enjoyed listening to Clint’s stories from his NASA memories and of course, his “Engineer” jokes. Grateful for the years of happiness you both have shared.
God bless you all during this time.
My deepest condolences to Clint’s family and loved ones. Although I did not have the privilege of knowing Clint personally, I know what a wonderful person he was through my dear friendship with Carolyn. It looks like his years of service at NASA are a meaningful part of his legacy, and I hope the memories of his life and accomplishments bring comfort and peace to all who loved him. Keeping his family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss, my dear friend
To the Family of Major Clinton “Clint” Lee, my deepest condolences. I am sorry we missed you at the Viking 50th Anniversary in Hampton VA July 18th and that we didnt meet in person. My father was also a “Viking” and I have been working very hard to secure every Vikings legacy in the permanent record and Viking Archive through The Viking Mars Missions Education & Preservation nonprofit we started with several Vikings. We would like to feature Clint in the Archive to ensure his work is remembered in history. We welcome families involvement in our work. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
With deep respect,
Rachel Tillman
Daughter of Viking James E. Tillman
Clint and I were neighbors since the early eighties. He and Carolyn encourage me to attend my church during the COVID pandemic days by faithfully going to church on Sunday mornings. Our condolences to Carolyn and Jeffrey and their families.