With permission from Young’s Daughters Funeral Home & Bereavement Center, Temple, Texas.
Mr. Michael Dean Lenox, US Chess ID 12734131, age 59, a distinguished veteran and esteemed member the community, passed away on March 21, 2024, at his home in Temple, Texas. He was born on May 29, 1964, in Canoga Park, California.
Mr. Lenox’s commitment to serving his country extended to his military service in the United States Navy, where he served as a Basic Auxiliary Equipment Technician and later transitioned into roles such as Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator and Scuba Diver. His dedicated service earned him several medals and accolades, including the Navy Commendation Medal and the National Defense Medal.
Throughout his life, Mr. Lenox led a multifaceted career journey, starting as a loan officer before venturing into real estate. He notably owned the Salad Station restaurant in Port Angeles and was a former owner of Relax Station. Additionally, he was the proud founder of Chess Vets and held membership in various prestigious organizations such as the Marine Corp Detachment and the VFW Post #1820.
Described as stubborn yet kind-hearted, opinionated yet giving, Mr. Lenox deeply valued his friendships and always sought opportunities to assist others with intentionality and compassion. His love for diving and chess was only overshadowed by his passion for supporting fellow veterans.
Among his proudest accomplishments was his marriage to the love of his life, Lia (Lee) Lenox, in 1999. Together, they shared a beautiful Hawaiian wedding and spent 25 years creating cherished memories.
Mr. Michael Dean Lenox is survived by his devoted wife Lia (Lee) Lenox; brothers Allan Emmons and John Woolbright; sisters Donna (Jim) Baither and Barbora (Bob) Larson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Vicki Woolbright, and Robert Woolbright.
Visitation services to honor Mr. Lenox’s life will be held at Young’s Daughters Funeral Home & Bereavement Center in Temple on April 2nd from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM followed by a Testimony hour beginning at 7:00 pm Graveside service will be held at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen on April 4th at 2:00 PM.with Rev. William A. Sterling officiating.
In remembrance of a remarkable individual whose legacy will forever resonate within the hearts of those who knew him.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a memorial donation to the Marine Corp Detachment Po Box 1281 Temple, TX 76503.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael Dean Lenox, please visit the Young’s Daughters Funeral Home flower store.
Visitation: Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 5:00 – 6:00 pm (Central time), Young’s Daughters Funeral Home & Bereavement Center, 4235 E. US Hwy 190, Temple, TX 76501.
Graveside Service: Thursday, April 4, 2024, 2:00 – 3:00 pm (Central time), Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 TX-195, Killeen, TX 76542.
Michael Lenox and his wife, Lia, were and are my friends. In the fall of 2020, I was introduced to them when they notified TCA they were moving from Illinois to Texas. After they settled, I called Michael and told him about the 2021 US Armed Forces Open Chess Championships (USAFOCC) I was organizing in Grapevine. Michael eventually registered and donated 100 travel chess sets for the players and staff through his 501(C)(3) ChessVets. His generosity was well received. During our Veterans Banquet, he gave a very informative PowerPoint presentation about ChessVets.
Thanks to his and Lia’s efforts, chessVets continued to thrive in Central Texas. In October 2023, fellow veteran and TCA Life Member Troy Gillispie and I traveled to Temple to play in a tournament they organized, the fifth annual AVAFEST suicide prevention tournament for chess-playing veterans. I was impressed with the level of detail and community support that resulted from their outreach activities. Over twenty organizations and vendors helped sponsor the event.
Michael and I talked often. He encouraged and recruited me to play in a weekly online ChessVets tournament on LiChess. We made serious plans for me to travel to Central Texas often and direct tournaments for chess-playing veterans. Michael’s passion was to help veterans through chess. His volunteer leadership was inspirational for all who knew him. It is such a loss for us all, and I extend my deepest sympathies to Lia, his family, and his friends.