Memorial service planned for Charles E. Lee, popular Irvine football assistant and youth track coach

Charles E. Lee was a popular assistant football coach and youth track coach. (Photo courtesy Lee family).

A memorial service to celebrate the life of former Irvine High School assistant football and youth track coach Charles E. Lee is planned for Sunday, July 9, at 10 a.m. at Irvine Stadium where Lee impacted the lives of many young athletes over the years.

The popular coach died of congestive heart failure on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 according to his daughter Jocelyn Vanegas. He was 84.

Lee made quite an impact among coaches and athletes, according to Irvine football coach Tom Ricci.

“Some people are born for 9 to 5 jobs, but Charles was born to coach,” Ricci said Monday. “He had a gentle way of talking to you that put you at ease. He made you want to learn and did an amazing job teaching skills to players. He worked on and off with Irvine Football doing the conditioning and teaching running skills and technique.

“He and my dad Tom Ricci Sr. started Football U which was a two-week football camp that ran every summer at Irvine High for fifth through eighth grade players who wanted to play tackle football.  He touched so many lives through Irvine athletics, he will be sorely missed.”  

Ricci recalls that Lee started coaching the Irvine Junior All American football team in 1984.

Lee lived in Irvine for about 40 years but moved to Corona about six years ago, his daughter Jocelyn said. Lee had his own track and field team, the Irvine Cougars and helped Irvine football athletes with strength and conditioning. Many of his athletes on the Irvine Cougars went on to compete at high schools in Irvine.

Lee worked for 35 years as a regional director with Liggett and Myers Corporation a tobacco company, before retiring at the age of 55.

But Lee didn’t stop working, instead focusing more time on his passion of coaching and helping young athletes. He was the speed and conditioning coach with the Irvine football team for many years.

“He had a great love and passion for the youth in the city of Irvine and love for sports and just giving back to the community in that way,” his daughter said. “Most of the kids say he helped them with things beyond sports, teaching them life skills that transcended just sports. A lot of the kids called him long after he got them through college.”

Lee stopped coaching two years ago when he wasn’t able to drive but “in that time all the kids came to visit him, it’s so crazy how many people would come all the way to Corona just to see him or call him for advice,” his daughter said.

His daughter is hoping it will be a memorable service for those who knew Lee. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Irvine football program.

Those attending are asked to wear athletic and casual attire and share their fondest memories of the coach.

Lee’s survivors include his wife, Marjorie Lee.

“Charles leaves behind beloved family members to cherish his memories, his wife Marjorie Lee, children Jocelyn and Ronald Vanegas and Erica and Charles Hooperlee and grandchildren Jacquelyn and Daniel Beering and Emanuel Gipson,” his daughter Jocelyn said.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com