Ira 'Lee' Sylvester was born on October 16, 1931 in Austin, Texas and passed away on January 21, 2017 at the age of 85 in Irvine, California while surrounded by family and loved ones. He is survived by his wife Eleanor, daughters D'eane and Susan; sons Dennis and Michael. Additionally, he is survived by (7) grandchildren; Jennifer, Erin, Katherine, Samantha, Daniel, Erika and Ryan as well as (10) great grandchildren; Logan, Madalyn, Austin, Olivia, Conner, Ella, Jonas, Catherine Grace, Ava and Lola.

Lee was born to parents Avis and Ira Philip Sylvester. After joining the United States Marine Corps on January 6, 1948, Lee was stationed in Daggett, CA where he met Eleanor Nunes. They were married in June 1950 in Las Vegas, NV. Lee spent the next 22 years serving in the Marine Corps where he was stationed in many locations including Barstow, Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA, Cherry Point, NC, Okinawa, Japan, Kaneohe Bay, HI and El Toro, CA before retiring from active duty with the rank of Captain in 1969. He was a proud Marine and truly believed in the "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" motto.

Lee will be interred at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego on February 10th at 10 am.Please arrive at 9:30 am.All are invited to attend.

There will also be a Celebration of Life on Thursday, February 9th from 5-7 pm at McCormick & Sons Mortuary, 25002 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA. Once again, everyone is invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Lee's name to the "Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society" http://www.nmcrs.org