Alfred Fobian

Longtime Independence area resident Alfred "Lee" Fobian, 88, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2023 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.

Lee Fobian was born on March 9, 1934, to Alfred and Johanne Marie (Jensen) Fobian in New Hartford, Iowa. He graduated high school in 1953 from Cedar Falls, Iowa. Lee proudly served in the United States Navy for 2 years.  He owned and operated two manufacturing facilities in Caney, F & M Corporation, which built over 13,000,000 ammunition boxes for the United States Arsenal during the Vietnam War, and The Pallet Co Inc, which supplied pallets and boxes to many regional manufacturing facilities including TAMKO Shingles, Dixon Lawn Mowers, and Spears Manufacturing.  Lee married Kathy Angelua (Muse) Fobian on November 22, 1959, they raised four children together.

Lee's great passion in life was his love for his children and grandchildren who he mentored through life with both words and actions.  Lee was larger than life and anyone who met him were struck by his physical attributes, friendliness, gregarious personality and keen wit.  Lee loved to cook his famous spaghetti and holiday meals for his family...and like everything he did in life he went big so there were leftovers for days.   His work ethic, kindness and good deeds are legendary for those who knew him well and benefited from his generosity.  His later years were spent buying farms and acreage which he beautified by building ponds, clearing brush and trimming trees.  He also greatly enjoyed gardening, observing wildlife, watching Fox News, KU Basketball, and always Lawrence Welk on Saturday night, but he was happiest when spending time with friends and family.

Those left to cherish his memory, grandsons, Matthew Lindsay (CA), Samuel Wester (TX), Jacob Wester (KS), and Jackson Lindsay (KS), daughter, Natalie Wilks (KS), son in law, Stephen Wilks (KS), great granddaughter and namesake Lee Lindsay (CA), sister-in-law Charlotte Muse (KS) and numerous beloved nephews, nieces, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Lee is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Johanne Marie Fobian, daughter, Angelua Wester, sons Russell Fobian and Eric Fobian, brothers, Darryl Fobian and Kenneth "Fob" Fobian, sisters, Penny Weston, Irene "Mickey" Kotaska, Lillian Burnside and Lynn Muse brother-in-law.
A celebration of Lee's life will be held at the Independence Country Club Saturday January 21 at 11:00 a.m. buffet lunch immediately following.
Memorials may be left at Potts Chapel, online condolences may be left at www.pottsfuneralhome.com.