BATON ROUGE — Felix Holmes “Buddy” Lee, who played quarterback for LSU in 1968-70, passed away in Florida on April 10 after a lengthy illness at the age of 67.
Lee was born in Baton Rouge and grew up in nearby Zachary where he played high school football and earned All-District honors in football, basketball and basketball.
He graduated from LSU and was a member of the team that won the 1970 Southeastern Conference championship team. That team finished 9-2 and 5-0 in the SEC and lost to Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.
In 1970 he completed 73 of 138 passes for 1,162 yards and six touchdowns, including a long of 73 yards. In 1969, the 6-4 Lee completed 37-of-76 as the No. 2 quarterback for the Tigers for 470 yards and three touchdowns. In three seasons, he attempted 220 passes, completing 111 passes for 1,641 yards and nine touchdowns.
As a junior in 1969 he rushed 47 yards for 185 yards. His time as a sophomore was limited because of a knee injury.
In 1971 he was drafted by the Chicago Bears and was later traded to the Los Angeles Rams.
He resided in St. Petersburg since 1981 where he had a three decade career in real estate and financial work. He was also an avid golfer.
Lee is survived by his wife of 27 years, Coleen Kelly Lee; sisters Amelia Lee and Annie Laurie Rodosta; nephew, Joseph Rodosta and his wife, Kathy; long-time friend, Joe Carter; sisters-in-law, Kate Connelly (and family) and Maureen Kelly; brothers-in-law, Robert Kelly, T. J. Kelly (an family) and Sean Kelley; and many other loving family members.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday (April 16) from 6-8 p.m. ET at Memorial Park Funeral Home in St. Petersburg. A graveside service will be held on Friday (April 17) at 9:30 a.m. at Woodlawn Memory Gardens.