Leon “Lee” Brown Van Dam, age 82, was a native of Mt. Clements, Mich, and resident of Daphne. His spirit broke free and flew away to be with God, Friday, Nov. 23, 2012.
He attended Mt. Clements, Mich Schools and Wayne University, Detroit, Mich.He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War with AFRS as Broadcast Supervisor. He was a former resident of Newberry, where he was active in Broadcasting and was the builder and operator of several radio stations. He also was a former owner of the Best Western, Newberry, and “Signs R Us” in Daphne, Ala. He was also the founder of the March of Dimes Jail or Bail fundraiser in Port Huron, Mich. He was an active member of St. James Episcopal Church, Fairhope. He loved life, traveling and his wife, Esther and he loved his family dearly. He was known as “Grampy” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be missed by everyone who knew him. He will always be remembered for his love of God, his church and his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fidele and Edna Van Dam; a brother, John, first wife, Alice; niece, Susan and aunt, Hope Brown. He is survived by his loving wife, Esther Trione Van Dam of Daphne; a step-daughter, Shelly (Dan) Chapman of New Orleans, La; two step-sons, Kent (Kathy) Trione of Orange Beach; Ricky (Bonnie) Trione of Fairhope; his loving grandchildren, Richard (Lindsy) Trione, Robby (Emelie) Trione, Anna (Ben) Simmons, Caleb (Hunter) Moore and Blake Moore all of Fairhope; five great-grandchildren; a nephew, David Van Dam of Glenview, Ill; three great nieces, Tieg Van Dam, Sarah Van Dam, Samantha Spiegel of Chicago, Ill and a great- nephew, Mathew Schwimmer of Illinois. Funeral services will be Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012 at 2 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Montrose Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 860 N. Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532 or the March of Dimes. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. DAPHNE. To post online condolences, visit www.wolfefuneralhomes.com.
