Memorial services have been announced for Gladys M. Lee, an LPGA Class A teaching professional, pioneering golf coach and passionate champion of youth golf, whose passing has left a profound void in the golf community.
According to family members, services will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Central Bible Church, 8001 Anderson Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76120.
Affectionately known as Coach Lee, she devoted decades of her life to expanding access to golf, particularly for young people, women and underserved communities. Her influence extended well beyond teaching the fundamentals of the game. She believed golf could serve as a vehicle for education, discipline, confidence, character development and lifelong opportunity.
In 1986, Lee founded the Texas International Stroker’s Junior Golf Association, which later evolved into the Roaring Lambs International Junior Golf Academy. The nationally recognized nonprofit program served more than 2,000 competitive junior golfers and helped numerous young people pursue college scholarships.
Her accomplishments also included leading the women’s golf program at Estrella Mountain Community College in Arizona to the 2012 NJCAA National Championship and coaching a high school team to a state championship in 2011.
A member of the National Black Golf Hall of Fame since 2003, Lee also championed opportunities for women through LPGA Golf 101, DFW Fairway Divas and Global Fairway Seekers. She served as an LPGA-USGA Girls Golf site director in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Lee was recently featured on the cover of the July 2026 issue of African American Golfer’s Digest, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to golf and her lifelong commitment to developing the next generation of players. She served many years as an independent blogger for the publication sharing her golf journey, her special programs, events and activities that helped to grow participation in the game.
Her legacy is reflected in the thousands of young golfers she mentored, the women she encouraged to embrace the game and the countless lives she touched through her coaching, leadership and faith.
African American Golfer’s Digest extends its heartfelt condolences to the Lee family, friends, former students and the entire golf community.
Her influence will continue to live on through the generations of golfers she inspired.
Memorial service information provided by family members.
