“His service 50 years ago broke employment barriers that once discouraged people of color from seeking employment in national parks,” said Cash. “He stepped bravely into unknown territory and paved a path for people like me to follow in his footsteps.”

During a trip to Florida, Cash presented Lee with a mounted ranger hat in honor of his contribution to the history of the National Park Service, as well as a framed photograph of all the park naturalists working in 1967. The photo includes two other African-Americans, both of whom are now deceased. Lee shared memories of his Park Service journey during an event at William T. Dwyer High School in Jupiter, Florida. 

“I am overwhelmed that officials from the park would come to see me in the twilight of my life and recognize me as a trailblazer by being the first African-American park ranger naturalist in the Smokies,” said Lee. “I have a deep, abiding respect for Superintendent Cash for following up on the call I made about my time as a park ranger. Now, I have proof for my grandchildren and their children about my time in the Great Smokies.”

The park is in the midst of an effort to better understand, share and preserve the history of African-Americans who lived in and around the Smokies region, both before and after the park’s establishment. Adam McNeil, lead research assistant for the project, participated in an oral history interview with Lee that was captured on film by Great Smoky Mountains Association Videographer Valerie Polk.