Lee H. Boutwell, Jr.

Lee Hansen Boutwell, Jr. (94 years), a long-time resident of Baton Rouge, entered fully into the presence of the Lord on February 27, 2025. Lee faithfully loved and served the Lord, his family, and his community. He was born in Laurel, Mississippi in 1930 and was the only child of Lee Hansen and Vernelle Boutwell.

Lee graduated from Jones County (Junior College) High School in 1949 located in Ellisville, MS, where he met his future wife, Dorothy McNeill while they were both attending Jones County Junior College. They married on January 3, 1951, in a simple ceremony in the home of Dot's parents in Laurel, MS. A few years later they moved to Baton Rouge, where they would live out their lives humbly raising their children and developing deep roots in their community.

 Lee attended LSU after their move to Baton Rouge and attended Baton Rouge Vocational-Technical School where he received a Draftsman Vocational Certificate in 1958. He began employment with Bernard and Burk, Engineers in 1963 as a draftsman, then as a field engineer, earning certification as an engineering technician, then retiring after 23 years as a piping designer. He began employment with Rubicon, Inc in Geismar, LA where he managed a drafting group that evolved from a two-person team using drafting tables to a 10 person Mechanical and I&E Design Group using eight CADD stations. Lee was instrumental in the development of a Rubicon CADD standard, which led to the successful implementation of a CADD system at that site. In October 1995, Lee retired from Rubicon after 23 years. 

 Lee enjoyed traveling with Dorothy, especially after retirement. They traveled to Europe several times. Traveled all over the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. They even took a cruise through the Panama Canal just to say they had done it. They loved visiting family scattered all over the country and touring each area. 

 Lee enjoyed many hobbies and gifts and was definitively multi-talented. He tuned pianos and, in his youth, worked in a musical instrument shop for repairs. Lee was a gifted musician who was chosen in a select group of concert band members to travel and perform out of town representing Jones County Junior College. Lee also worked alongside his father who was a certified electrician, adding that as another proficient skill. Lee could take apart and repair any gas-powered engine, design and complete electrical wiring, and he stayed interested and tried to stay current with everything technology related. Lee enjoyed boating and fishing, ocean views and travel adventures with Dorothy, which included driving a motorhome while pulling his Mustang across the entire Western US. He was most passionate about building and flying radio-controlled airplanes. Lee was one of the “Founding Fathers” of the Baton Rouge Radio Control Club. He grew up in the RC industry from its infancy. He was an outstanding builder of many beautiful airplanes, was an outstanding RC pilot, trainer of new pilots, and happily shared his vast knowledge. Lee was active in the Radio Control hobby for more than 60 years. 

Lee enjoyed conversation and connection with family, friends, neighbors and even strangers. He was gifted to strike up a conversation and enjoyed sharing interesting stories of his vast life experiences often involving humor or human interest, such as taking a pet squirrel to grammar school, working in his youth setting up bowling pins, and delivering groceries around town from his bicycle. Lee never forgot a name or a person he had met. Lee was known for his problem-solving aptitude and was often called on by family, friends and neighbors to share his knowhow as he graciously helped to repair vehicles, lawn equipment or home appliances. 

Lee attended Sherwood Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, later Living Hope Fellowship Church, alongside Dorothy. He enjoyed fellowship and study with the men’s Bible Study group for many years. 

Lee’s dedication was to his family, which was his pride and joy. He tracked every family birthday or special event with great care, as he always had on display a spreadsheet noting family birthdays and anniversaries. Lee most enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who knew they could always count on Paw Paw to introduce them to a cool project going on in the infamous “Paw Paw’s shop”, to keep all the batteries charged and riding toys ready to spin around the backyard, to have the opportunity to fly an electric drone at a moment’s notice, or to spend an afternoon at the RC club field for a chance to fly a radio controlled plane with Paw Paw’s help. Lee leaves a legacy of a lifetime prioritizing special time spent with family and friends, making memories, sharing wisdom and imparting knowledge gained through a lifetime of hard work, adventurous fun, and an abundance of a wide range of unique experiences. 

Lee was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 72 years, Dorothy McNeill Boutwell. He is survived by his children, Tommy (Jeannie) Boutwell, and Patti (John) Holloway, his brother-in-law, Earnest (Ellen) McNeil, his grandchildren, Ed (Katie), Jessica (Kent), Becky (Chris), John (Missy), and James, and his eight great-grandchildren (Adelyn, Harper, Henry, Alec, Belle Ann, Samuel, Ruth, and Nash).

The family would like to thank all the staff and residents at La Plantation Assisted Living in Denham Springs, especially Lee’s dining friend Ms. Mary, MedPass nurses, Paulette and Tammy, Pinnacle Hospice nurses and staff, especially Shana, Cait and Victoria, as well as Pinnacle nurse, Brandi for Dorothy, Lee’s private sitters, Gloria and Anna, as well as Pastor Josh, staff and members at Living Hope Fellowship Church for all of their continued help, support, friendship, prayer, and special care of Lee Boutwell and his family. Each person served as a blessing and a true Godsend in the care of Lee. 

Public visitation will take place 9:00 - 10:00 am on Friday, March 07, 2025. A funeral service will take place Friday, March 07, 2025, beginning at 10:00 am, with interment following immediately after the service at Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. Donations can be made to Living Hope Fellowship Church, 1180 South Flannery Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70815.