Lee Eugene Velasquez, 61, passed away January 14, 2021 from complications due to COVID-19. The casket will be open for friends 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. The Rosary will be recited 2:00 p.m. Monday (January 18, 2021) at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Arkansas City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held immediately following. Burial will follow in Memorial Lawn Cemetery of Arkansas City. A live stream link will be available on the funeral website Those attending visitation or services are required to follow all Covid-19 mandates including the wearing of a mask and social distancing. Lee was an Arkansas City attorney who was a strong child advocate throughout his career. He leaves behind his wife, Vivian, son Francisco “Frankie” Velasquez and daughter Olivia Rose Velasquez, all of the home. Other survivors are his sister, Elisa Balleau and her children Sarah Balleau, Ben Balleau all of Wichita and Anna Balleau of Phoenix, AZ. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law, Clint (Misty) Lawson of Arkansas City and sister-in-law Enid (Tim) Chandler of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and his nieces and nephews: John (Michelle) Chandler of Lakewood, WA; Renie (Chris) Neske of Independence, MO, and Anna (Darren) Shanks of Kansas City, MO; Emily Lawson and Nathan Lawson, both of Arkansas City; great-niece Madelyn Neske and great-nephew Joey Neske of Independence, MO. Lee was born on March 6, 1959 to Marilyn and Joe Velasquez in Wichita, Kansas. He attended these Wichita public schools: Chisholm Trail Elementary, Brooks Junior High, and Heights High School, graduating in 1977. Lee was a Boy Scout and participated in the Youth Conservation Corp, where he and other teens landscaped and did work in the Wichita parks to preserve those environments. He attended Wichita State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981, and then attended Washburn Law School and earned his Juris Doctor in 1989. He was an educator for several years before attending Law School. Lee married Vivian (Lawson) on February 14, 1982 and they adopted their two children Frankie and Olivia in 2002 and 2003, respectively. His children were the light of his life and he was an involved parent; Lee and Vivian were married 38 years. He became an accomplished musician, earned numerous awards and continued to play for church and community events, including the Prairie Fest music events in Cowley County. He practiced labor and employment law in Las Vegas, NV before returning to his home state where he resided for the past 22 years. Lee enjoyed golf, playing music, and family events. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Arkansas City. Lee was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer in Cowley County, and served on the board of that organization. He also served on the boards for the Burford Center for the Arts, SafeHomes and TFI, The Farm. His passion was helping juveniles and adults overcome difficulties, and Lee was a frequent guardian ad litem to serve the interests of children. Several years ago, Lee suffered End Stage Renal Disease and was a recipient of a kidney transplant in July, 2020. After initial complications, he was able to resume work and normal activities until being infected with COVID-19. A memorial has been established with the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Arkansas City. Contributions may be made through the funeral home. Arrangements are being made through Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home and Crematory of Arkansas City. Online condolences may be made at www.rindt-erdman.com