Henry "Hank" M. Lees Jr, 76, of Chapin, SC, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at Lexington Medical Center with family at his side.

Hank was born June 3, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Henry M. Lees Sr and Susan Stees Lees.

At a very early age, he moved with his parents to Washington state. Hank's dad, a civil engineer, worked on the construction of Ross, Diablo, the Upper Gorge and Metaline Falls dams. The family lived at times in remote, but beautiful areas of the state, including Ross Dam site, Newhalem and Metaline Falls.

The family moved to Seattle in 1958 and Hank graduated from an all-boys school, St. Martins High School, in Lacey, Washington in 1964. His love for sports included participation on the school's football, track and wrestling teams. During his senior year, he was undefeated and was known as "Hop'n Hank" on the wrestling team.

The family moved to Pullman in 1966, where Hank and his two youngest siblings attended Washington State University in Pullman and he received his civil engineering degree in 1969. In the same year, he started with the Northern Pacific Railway as an assistant engineer. When four major railroad companies merged in 1970 to form the Burlington Northern Railroad, Hank began working in various locations throughout Wyoming, Nebraska, Minnesota and Kansas. He would serve as a construction engineer, division engineer, director of energy conservation, and manager of track and structure research & development during the next 25 years.

During this time, he married his first spouse, Linda Kennedy Middleton, and their two sons, Henry III and Raymond, were born. Whenever possible, Hank and the boys would spend countless hours traveling across the country to visit family or to have a new adventure. They managed to visit 48 states. Hank also traveled extensively for work, attending conferences abroad and in the United States.

In 1993, Hank married Mary Christoph in Overland Park, Kansas. They lived briefly in Fort Worth, but in 1996 they moved to Topeka when the BN and the Santa Fe Railroads merged. He worked in track research & development until 2013, when he retired with nearly 44 years of service. In 2014, Hank and Mary moved to Chapin, South Carolina, to be closer to their sons and their families in Columbia.

Anyone who ever met Hank would soon discover that he was down-to-earth, genuine, generous, caring, full of life, with an innate ability to bring humor and laughter to any situation. He had countless stories to share and an enthusiasm for life that lifted spirits. His faith, family and church were foremost in his life and he was not ashamed to show his love for family and friends.

He was an active member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Chapin, where he served in many ministries, including Knights of Columbus Council 16903, Men's Club, Chapin We Care, Senior Luncheons, and Ministry to the Sick and Homebound. He loved to share his time, abilities and engineering knowledge whenever a project needed to be completed, whether at church, in the neighborhood, or for his family. When someone called, he went.

Hank enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his six grandchildren, who range in age from 4 months to 21. He was extremely proud of his sons, who have worked hard to establish three restaurants, aptly named "Henry's Restaurant & Bar", in the Columbia metro area, so as to provide for their families.

Hank is survived by his wife, Mary, of 29 years; sons Henry Lees III (Erica) and Raymond Lees (Dorion) of Columbia, South Carolina; grandchildren Hannah Rae of Charleston, South Carolina; Hannah Nancy, Catherine (Cate), Audrey, Henry IV and Raymond McBane (Mac), all of Columbia; sisters, Susan McKay (Malcolm) of Lynnwood, Washington and Cathy Anderson of Wills Point, Texas; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Lees Sr and Susan Lees, and brother, Thomas Lees.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Dennis Willey, Celebrant. A reception will follow immediately in the parish's Family Life Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 195 Amicks Ferry Road, Chapin, SC 29036. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin, SC 29036.