Lee Brawner | Obit.

From the Oklahoman Obits.

Lee B. Brawner, 70, died suddenly on Wednesday, February 8, 2006. Lee was born May 1, 1935 in Seguin, Texas. He was well know both locally and nationally as a leader in library administrating, planning, and consulting. He was also a prominent civic leader wherever he lived, taking on unpopular issues, particularly in defending intellectual freedom. He was honored with many awards for his contributions, including the Lee B. Brawner Endowment Trust Award, Downtown Now Award, and the Hugh M. Hefner 1st Amendment Award. Lee served as Assistant State Librarian in Austin, Library Administrator in Dallas, and Director of the Waco Public Library prior to coming to Oklahoma City. As Director of the Metropolitan Library System for 28 years, he created a state of the art library system, which was a model for many other libraries nationally. Lee was equally well known for his humor and his ability to make people laugh, even in tense times. He was loved by his family and by many people around the country who truly enjoyed his presence. Lee is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nancy; his children: Allen Brawner and Betsy Wingo and her husband Paul; a sister, Bobbie Frerking; granddaughter, Kai Wingo; numerous relatives in Texas. He was predeceased by sister, Bette Hilbert; his mother, Thelma Brawner; his father, Lee Brawner, Sr. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Metropolitan Library Endowment Trust, c/o Donna Morris - Executive Director, 300 Park Ave., OKC, OK 73102 or to Freedom to Read Foundation, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Memorial celebration of Lee's love of life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, February 12, 2006 at Mayflower Congregational Church, 3901 N.W. 63rd (one block West of Portland), Oklahoma City.