Clarence "Lee" Ransom, Chief Master Sergeant-USAF (ret.) of Crestview Florida, died peacefully on March 5, 2024 of natural causes.

Lee is survived by Shirley Ransom, his wife of 63 years; his daughter Leah Ransom of Albuquerque New Mexico; son Charles "Chuck" Ransom; grandchildren Ashley Woltz-Reeves and Charles Cole Ransom; two great-grandsons Austin and Bryson Reeves. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Clarice Ransom, brother Franklin, and son-in-law Shamus Woltz.

Lee joined the Air Force in 1955 and served eight years on active duty. He left active duty to join the Air Force Reserves at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and later joined the Special Operations Group at Duke Field, Florida. As a member of the elite "Ghostriders" Lee served as the Superintendent of Maintenance for the AC-130 Gunships, including a mission to Desert Storm in 1991.

Lee retired from Special Operations in 1992, and he and Shirley have lived in numerous locations including two years in Kuwait during Operation Enduring Freedom.

A memorial service will be held in Crestview at Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home on April 13. Visitation will be at 1:00. PM followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM. Following the service, a reception will be held at Airport Road Church of Christ.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the American Legion or other veteran charities.