Stephen Daniel Lee, 64, passed away on Thursday, August 29th, at his home in Clermont, Florida with family by his side.



Steve was born August 23rd, 1949, in Gainesville, Florida, to William and Gladys Lee. He grew up in Clermont, Florida, where he developed a life-long love of the outdoors, and as a gifted athlete starred in both football and track at Clermont High School. Steve attended The Florida State University (class of 1971), where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and following graduation served three years in the U.S. Army reserves.



Steve was the Chief Evaluator of the handicapped for Goodwill Industries in Columbia, South Carolina, and later lived in Savannah, Georgia, and Dayton, Ohio, where he began his career in finance and mortgage banking. He served as President of Dayton Mortgage Bankers, and returned to Clermont in 1981 to found and serve as President of the Independent Mortgage Corporation. Steve was committed to Clermont and south Lake County and was actively involved in various civic improvement initiatives. He served as President of the Community Foundation of South Lake, and was instrumental in developing the Pig on the Pond Festival as the premier fund-raising event for non-profit organizations supporting scholarships and education in South Lake County.



He was an avid fisherman and Florida State football fan, and was loved by many as a loyal and generous friend. Steve is survived by his siblings Bill, Marion, Richard, and Kenny, his son, Adam, and his fiance, Louise.



The family requests that In lieu of flowers, a contribution be made to either the Community Foundation of South Lake  (http://www.cfslc.org/)  or Cornerstone Hospice  (http://cshospice.org/)



A service will be held on Friday, September 6th, at 7pm at Becker Funeral Home,