Richard Jess Lee was born in Dallas, Texas in 1935. His family moved to Coppell in 1945. Mr. Lee loved attending school in Coppell ISD, but at the time he was a student in CISD, there was no high school. Students could attend high school in Carrollton or Grapevine. Mr. Lee elected to attend high school in Carrollton and graduated in 1953 from what was then known as Carrollton High School. After graduation Mr. Lee served in the United States Marine Corp. Reserve for almost 10 years. During his time of service he married his high school sweetheart Barbara J. Melton and they had three children, Richard Lynn, Vanessa Gay and Ernest Jeffrey. As a resident of Coppell, he helped organize the volunteer fire department and served as its chief for 17 years. His contributions to the school district are many, having served as a board member for 20 years from 1962-1982. This service has been the longest term of any trustee. His children as well as his grandchildren are products of the CISD and his daughter Gay (Lee) Dobecka is a current teacher in CISD.