FHSU Athletics
Raymond Lee, one of the greatest players in Fort Hays State Men's Basketball history and member of the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame, passed away on June 16, 2022. The Detroit, Michigan native was 58 years old.
Lee helped Fort Hays State to consecutive NAIA National Championships in 1983-84 and 1984-85. The four-year standout from Detroit, Michigan played the most games of any player in the program's history, taking the court 145 times. In four seasons at FHSU, Lee amassed a school record 899 assists. He is third on the all-time scoring list with 1,615 points, but was second at the time he completed his career.
Lee is one of the most decorated players in program history. He is the only three-time All-America selection in program history, earning the distinction as a sophomore (1984), junior (1985), and senior (1986). He is one of 10 players in program history to accomplish All-America honors at least twice. Fort Hays State enjoyed an overall record of 127-18 over his four seasons on the court at FHSU, including three conference regular season titles to go with the two national titles during that span. He was an all-conference selection all four of his seasons at FHSU and was the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) Freshman of the Year in 1982-83.
The Life Celebration Service for Raymond Lee will be on Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 2-3:30 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Kansas City, Mo. (Address - 7110 North State Route 9). Lee's family will also be holding a Repass Dinner on Saturday, July 16 from 4-11 p.m. at the Marriott Kansas City Airport (Address - 775 Brasilia Ave. Kansas City, MO).
Raymond Jeffrey Lee was born May 18, 1964, to the union of Percy and Olivia Lee in Detroit, Michigan. He passed away on June 16, 2022, at the age of 58. He was preceded in death by his mother Olivia and brother Anthony.
Raymond, affectionately known as Sugar Ray, received his high school education at the University of Detroit Jesuit Academy in Detroit, Michigan where he was an all-state selection in basketball in 1982. Ray proceeded to attend Fort Hays State University from 1982 to 1986. He helped lead Fort Hays State University to two NAIA National Championships in 1983-84 and 1984-85 and three conference championships over his four years on the court.
Ray is the only three-time All-America selection in the history of the storied Fort Hays State Men’s Basketball program and was a first-team selection in 1985. He was a four-time all-conference selection and was the Central States Intercollegiate Conference Freshman of the Year in 1983. He played the most games of any player in FHSU Men’s Basketball history, taking the court 145 times. He still holds the FHSU career assists record with 899 and his 1,615 points ranked second best at the completion of his career. Ray was also inducted into the FHSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. After college Ray worked several years for Chrysler Corporation. He also worked for American Airlines in Kansas City and was an Independent Contractor for Horizon Transport.
Ray met the love of his life Marci Merchant in 1990 and married on December 23rd, 1996. Marci had a son Henri whom Ray helped guide to become a successful young man. Marci and Ray added to their family in April of 1993 with the birth of Rayci and Raymond Jr. Ray was a very proud father of all his children. He also took his athletic talents and knowledge into coaching youth in the KC area. Ray coached youth basketball and soccer. His oldest son Henri and wife Alexis gave him three grandchildren. He loved being a grandfather. He also was a fun loving and competitive individual. He loved music and being with family and friends. Ray would talk your ear off if you gave him one. Ray was a friend to everyone he met. His smile was contagious. One of Ray’s greatest memories was being a card member of the Midnight Funk Association.
Raymond Jeffrey Lee leaves to cherish his memories, his wife Marci of Kansas City; his father Percy Lee Jr. of Detroit, Michigan; his sons Henri (Alexis) of Detroit, son Raymond Jr of Kansas City; daughter Rayci of Kansas City; brother Paul Lee (Allison) of Wichita, KS; sister Kim Lee Ousley (Bobby-deceased) of Detroit, Michigan; 3 grandchildren Asher, Emery, and Kennedy of Detroit, Michigan; several nieces and nephews and family and friends.
The Life Celebration Service for Raymond will be on July 16, 2022, from 2-3:30 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Kansas City, Mo. (7110 N, MO-9).