Lee Eldridge

Lee Ellis Eldridge, was born in Kirkland, WA January 8, 1921, the second son and 3rd child of Robert and Ivy Eldridge. Lee was the loving husband to his wife of 63 years Elaine; father to Dudley Anderson (Joyce), Leanne Eldridge and Cindy Zielke (Ronald). He also had 7 grandchildren, Eric Klemencic, Ame Holley, Jason Ausmus (Vanessa), Brandon Ausmus, Jennifer Sanders (Michael), Katie Fisher Brown (Charlie) and Kevin Fisher and 4 great-grandchildren Madison, Jacob, Bentley and Shelby. As a child, Lee began painting signs for the neighborhood grocery advertising the weekly specials and he also delivered newspapers. Lee graduated from Cleveland High School in Seattle, WA in 1940. During high school he was involved in intermural sports, tumbling club, baseball and the model airplane club. After graduating high school, Lee worked at Boeing in Washington before joining the navy during World War II. He served on the transport ship The USS Meriwether in the South Pacific as a first bomber. His military service took him to Pearl Harbor, Okinawa, Guam, Manila, Nagasaki, and Tokyo Bay to name a few. After his discharge from the navy and returning to Washington, he went to work for Thompson Display in Seattle, WA. At Thompson Display, he mastered the skills of free hand sign painting. He earned the title of Journeyman Cardwriter. Lee met Elaine on December 12 at a Christmas dance. They were married 2 years later on February 28. Lee always acknowledged the day in December he met Elaine as their anniversary. He always told Elaine, “I only want to be with you.” In August of 1953, Lee and Elaine, along with Dudley, decided to move from Washington to Colorado where they made their home in Colorado Springs. Lee and Elaine were later blessed with two daughters Leanne and Cindy who became known as The Eldridge Girls. Lee loved his family dearly and was actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America and with Leanne and Cindy’s ballet classes. Lee and Elaine enjoyed square dancing, round dancing and were actively involved at church. Lee worked for Singer Sewing Machines, Hibbard and Co, and also King Soopers while painting signs. In April 1970, he opened Eldridge Signs full time. He painted signs for The Boy Scouts Jamboree, The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, the Dog Track and many other businesses around Colorado Springs. He painted race cars, store windows, and buildings until he retired. Lee will be deeply missed. Already, the home Lee and Elaine shared does not seem the same without him. Lee and Elaine went everywhere together; he usually had a book or a puzzle with him. He was patient and loving, kind and most of all; he had a sense of humor that was unmatched. He passed along to his children his love for the world he lived in. He loved the sound of the thunder during the summer rains, his pets, gardening, and American history. He loved reading Louis L’Amour novels and other westerns, listened to music, and classic films. There was never a 4th of July without fireworks, either in Manitou Springs or Memorial Park. All who knew him have been touched with his humor and kindness. We are all better people having known Lee. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church. 4125 Constitution Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80917.