Lee grew up in Nevada, graduating from Nevada High School in 1972. As a teenager, he was a checker at the Village Market and also worked at the Fox Theater. After graduation, Lee went to work for the railroad.
Lee was always interested in the Martial Arts and swore he was going to learn “how it was done”. In the 1980s, he was laid off from the railroad—his opportunity came to follow his dream. Lee was able to get instruction from a Taekwondo Grand Master, Mr. Lee, in Kansas City, MO.
Lee started teaching classes at the YMCA in Nevada. His following grew until he was able to open his own Dojo on East Walnut Street in Nevada. He not only taught taekwondo but taught the philosophy of the sport as well. He especially liked to teach those that had been bullied or had low self-esteem, helping them to gain the self-worth, assurance, and pride they had lost.
Lee’s students participated in many trials and contest bouts in Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas. His students always won or placed, bringing trophies back to his Dojo. Lee still continued to fight in full body contact contests. Lee’s son, Steffan, was one of his prize students, having inherited his father’s talent for the sport. Lee’s Dojo was known from Texas and throughout Missouri for the quality of his students. Eventually all of the full body fighting Lee had done took its toll on his own body. After major back surgery and hip replacement, he could no longer teach and had to close his Dojo in the 2000s.
Lee is survived by his son, Steffan Lee Ogle, Bentonville, AR; Steffan’s fiancée, Madison Hedges; brothers, Phillip Ogle, Nevada, MO and Mark Ogle, Omaha, NE; sister, Cheryl Ogle Martin, Nevada, MO; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Memorial services will be at 11:00a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Ferry Funeral Home with Father Jim Lile officiating.
