His inquisitive nature and dedication was instrumental in bringing the industry several of its most important varieties and rootstocks, including ‘Midsweet,’ ‘Vernia,’ and ‘Earlygold.’
Lee remained actively involved in discussions of new varieties and rootstocks being developed by researchers in his cooperative groves. Today, there is a line named in his honor — OLL (Orie Lee Late). The original tree was an extra from an old irradiation experiment by USDA in an effort to get a seedless pineapple orange.
Over the years, Lee was recognized for his tireless, trailblazing efforts in the citrus industry. He was inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame in 2005 and won the Florida GrowerSM Citrus Achievement Award in 2015.
Lee is survived by Louise H. Lee, his wife of 68 years, as well as his son James Lee, daughter Laura Lee Hill, grandson Matthew Lee, and great-grandson Maxwell Lee.
To view the entire obituary and contribute to the online tribute wall, visit http://www.fiskfh.com/obituaries/Orie-Lee.
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