Lee Matthew Sundown, of Clinton, passed away peacefully at his home May 19, 2017.
He was born Dec. 8, 1957, in Garden Grove, Calif., the youngest son of Glen Sundown and Joan (Wittwer) Sundown.
Lee fought a courageous battle with head and neck cancer and never lost his sense of humor.
Lee spent his childhood in Garden Grove playing baseball, backyard football and riding his bike with his neighbors to the beach with his surfboard on his shoulder. Lee moved to Orange, Calif., with his parents and then attended Santa Ana Junior College.
He obtained a job at Pool Water Products where he got his start with understanding on how pumps can move water. He then took a job with a pool pump manufacturer, Sta-Rite Industries, and learned more about all the equipment used to move and filter pool water. He accepted a position in Boise, Ind., where he assisted in setting up a pool water equipment distribution center.
At the Boise distribution center is where he met his wife, Rhonda (Little) Sundown. Lee married Rhonda in December 1988 and continued his employment with Sta-Rite Industries, which gave him an opportunity to move to Wisconsin. In the summer of 1990, Lee purchased a home in Clinton, where he started a family and had two sons who were his pride and joy. He spent numerous hours coaching his boys’ different wrestling moves, golfing and, of course, how to tackle a football player. Lee enjoyed many summers camping with friends and family and golfing on the weekends when he was not camping.
Lee was an avid golfer and enjoyed the challenges of the game. Lee was successful at getting a hole in one at a tournament at Lake Lawn Resort. Lee also liked bowling where he met many acquaintances who took him on numerous fun bowling tournaments.
Lee is survived by his wife, Rhonda; and two sons, Justin and Tyler. Lee was preceded in death by his father, Glen; mother, Joan, and brother, Mark Sundown.
Per Lee’s wish, a celebration of life will be at Cougar Lanes, 204 Mill Street, Clinton from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.compassioncremation.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society at www.donate.cancer.org.
