Tributes Pour In Honoring Lee Minard

Lee Minard, former creative services director at KLAS in Las Vegas, died last week at his home in Fountain Hills, Arizonia.

The local TV marketing community is a tight-knit group, especially among long-time veterans.

Many of us are thankful to the mentorship of others in the business who helped us along the way, and so it is for many who crossed paths with Lee Minard.

Lee had an especially long and varied career in television, starting as an art director in 1962 at KEPR Pasco, Wash. Over the years he worked at WREX Rockford, Ill.; KIMA Yakima, Wash.; WFAA Dallas; KCNC and KUSA in Denver; WDIV Detroit; WCBS New York; and WMAR Baltimore. In addition to his work in local TV, Lee also had top marketing roles at PAX-TV and the Food Network.

Last week, I wrote a short piece announcing Lee’s death and asked for anyone to write a comment. Family and friends sent me emails while others posted their comments at the end of that column.

I recently lost a terrific friend that I had known for well over two decades. His name was Lee Minard. My great friend Ray Jacobs said wouldn’t it be a good idea to just take a bunch of Lee’s friends comments on Facebook and put a video together. I ran with that idea and put together a video from many of his friends and family members. Lee was such a great guy and terrific family man. Many tears were shed doing this tape and seeing all the love Lee shared with others. He will be missed. RIP my friend. — Jeff Kreiner

He is survived by me, his wife, MaryAlice Minard (by the way, today would have marked our 28th wedding anniversary). Other survivors include three sisters, five children, 14 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
The Minards are mourning the loss of an exceptional, fascinating and inspiring man. His creative talents were admired and respected in his professional life and so appreciated within his personal circle of family and friends.

I am stunned that I no longer have my soul mate by my side. To say that I am overcome by grief does not even begin to describe my feelings of loss; thus your kind words and thoughts mean more than I can express. —  MaryAlice Minard

Lee and MaryAlice as one is my first thought. They are a very kind couple.
I received a message from her early this morning, three days later. Lee and MaryAlice attended my mother’s funeral a week ago today. I got a great hug from both of them. My heart goes out to MaryAlice and the whole family. Lee, you will be missed. — Barry Gordon

Sorry to hear about Lee’s passing. He was a key contributor on the CBS Affiliates Marketing Advisory Board. Agree with your comments regarding his quiet and thoughtful demeanor. Barb and I will keep the Minards in our prayers. Thanks for letting us know. — Barry Barth

I am one of the sisters that he left behind. Lee was the most talented person I ever met.
We cherish his art work and marveled at his music abilities. He will never be forgotten but
he will certainly be missed. My thought and prayers go out to his wife and the rest of his family. — Kitty Towns

Lee was my favorite brother. I can say that because he was my only brother. My two sisters and I will miss him. He was so talented artistically and would send us beautiful cards created just for his sisters to let us know he was thinking of us on special days. I was eager to see what he was going to create with those magnificent pictures he took of birds and nature. His talents will live on through his talented children and grandchildren. — Darlene Mortensen

Lee Minard is my father, I am still struggling to find words after this huge loss. Since his retirement his hobby has been nature photography. His photographs are amazing. I looked forward to seeing him this week as I was scheduled to visit for a few days. We were going on a photo shoot together, around his beloved Foumtain Hills Park, and he was going to continue tutorials on Photoshop. We would have shared a glass of wine in the evening while laughing and sharing stories.

He taught me to dance with my feet on top of his when I was a little girl, he taught me to be an activist for equality and to never be afraid to speak out against injustice, he taught me to feel the music, not just listen to it, he attended every concert and school event his 5 children were involved with unless out of town, he took us on nature walks and camping, he never would ask for directions and somehow we always made it to our destination. He was funny, charming, passionate, artistic, creative, a wonderful father, and so much more than I can put into words. — Tamarak Li

Here is a link to a video of some of his fabulous photography.

A sweetheart of a mentor and a creative force from whom I owe so much. You will be missed, Lee. — Earl Bateman

I worked with Lee at the beginning of his career in Yakima, Washington. He managed the KIMA studio like a professional. The evening newscast was always technically percent. Lee preached perfection. Lee was a joy to be around. He was always full of ideas. A quiet man going places. It hurt when he left KIMA. After several decades at the station, Lee remained number one in my mind. He has always been missed at KIMA. I’m happy to have known you. — T.J. Close

As many have written, Lee left his mark in the world with his creativity and his kindness, his talents and his convictions. He touched our lives in so many ways. Each time he posted one of those light-filled photographs on Facebook, I imagined him with a twinkle in his eye, smiling that slow, mellow smile. He will be remembered as a good person, one we were lucky to know. My heart goes out to his family. — Lee Armstrong

Not sure where — or who — I’d be without Lee. 25 years after he hired me at WCBS, I still hear his voice with many creative decisions I make. “What would Lee think?” is often in the back of my mind- and I’m that much better for it. Thank you, Lee — and my deepest condolences to MaryAlice and family. — Brad Soltoff

Lee mentored me too in Dallas. So very kind, thorough, and patient … he helped me “learn the ropes” and boosted me along in my career. Never to be forgotten, may he RIP. Sincere condolences to his family. — Bruce Scafe

I worked with Lee at both WMAR in Baltimore, and WCBS in NYC, producing and directing News Opens and Promos over the years. He was a wonderful man to work with, and helped me in my career. He will be missed. — Joe Chapura

Yes, very sad. Just last week I was looking at some of his latest photographic work he had posted. — Michael Mischler

Yes, he was quite a guy. — George Schweitzer