Lee R. Yackee

Lee R. Yackee, a well-known and respected businessman, of Martin, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024, after a brief illness. He was the son of Russell & Audrey (Witt) Yackee, born in Toledo, Ohio on August 31, 1956, and lived his entire life in Martin.

Lee graduated from Genoa High School in 1974 and possessed a unique understanding of electricity, plumbing, and construction. He started his career in 1974 working for the Crozier Construction Co., in Elmore, Ohio, while working for Atlas Industries in Woodville. In 1976 he started his lifetime vocation of electrical and plumbing with Johnnie’s Electric of Elmore. Earning his National Electric Code certification in 1978, Lee started his own business, YES, Yackee Electric Service, on July 1, 1981, and the rest they say, “is history”. He went on to earn many special licenses, in the contracting field, to better serve his business and community.

Lee’s first big project was an addition on the Robinson-Henn-Brossia Funeral Home, in Genoa. As time went on, his business continued to grow, not only in commercial projects, but residential and industrial as well. Lee’s expertise led him to projects on homes and businesses, including those in the local area, Northwest Ohio and as far West as California. Lee was very intelligent and had a very analytical mind that allowed him to solve the most complex problems. Lee was elected to the Board of Clay Township Trustees, where he served for over 30 years, the second longest in Clay Township history. He brought many new ideas and processes to the township that today still make life better for the residents.

Even though Lee was well known for his business, he will also be remembered for his dedication to his fiancé, Sandy Lau. For 27 years, after Sandy’s tragic accident, Lee took care of her every need, in a way that could only be defined as “the purest form of love there is.” Lee worked all day every day, and still made sure he was at Sandy’s side, at home or while in the hospital, advocating for her well-being.

There is no measure to the extent that Lee would go for his customers, because he felt that they were his family. Lee loved people and made sure they were taken care of. He never complained when someone called on a holiday that their furnace was out, or that they had no water or electricity, it was as important to him as it was to that customer. For those who liked to “do it yourself”, he was ready to offer advice and the right tools to do the job.

Lee will be remembered by many as a generous and giving man who gave of his talents and treasures. There are so many things Lee did for the community and individuals, but he did them anonymously, as he did not like the spotlight that might come with helping. His sense of humor was a very endearing trait. Many were on the receiving end of it and in the end, it was that Yackee “grin” that gave him away!

Lee believed in preserving the history of the Martin community. He lived his entire adult life in the house that was his grandparents’, keeping its charm and coziness as his home, office and home for Sandy. Lee also purchased the building in Martin which was his grandparents general store and post office. That building today still houses the Martin Post Office. There are many more examples of his dedication to preserving the past, too numerous to mention.

Lee is survived by his best friends Jeff and Sue Hineline, a niece, nephew and several cousins, along with his customers, whom he considered his family, and friend Sharon Dippman. He was preceded in death by his fiancé, Sandy, parents, Russell & Audrey Yackee, and sister Beth Hagarty.

Friends and family are invited to come and share stories on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 1:00 – 8:00 PM, at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 501 West St. Genoa, Ohio. A private funeral service will be held with burial next to his beloved Sandy, at Clay Township Cemetery, Genoa. Those who love Lee would like to suggest that in Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be directed to the Genoa Area Local Schools Scholarship Foundation, where a scholarship will be established in Lee’s name. Donations may be mailed to the Genoa Bank, 801 N. Main Street, Genoa, Ohio, 43430. Online condolences may be shared at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.

God speed our friend.