Life Reflections of Lee Walter “Man” Ware

Lee Walter Ware was born in Haughton, Louisiana on May 26, 1941 to the union of Lee Walter Ware and Versie Lee Garrison.

Lee attended Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport, LA and graduated in 1960. During his sophomore year at Booker T. Washington, he met his lifelong friends, Ira & Liz Hill. They have remained friends to this day. Following graduation, Lee relocated to Oakland, CA with his young wife Gloria and son Marcus. Lee later married Edith Davis and to this union was born a son Robert X. Ware. Lee later met and married Georgia Martin his longtime companion and love of his life of over 45 years.
Lee began his career at UC Berkeley working at the International House. He worked on the UC Berkeley campus at Harmon Gym for over 40 years in the custodial department and later as a supervisor of the custodian staff. Even though he held many fond memories of his years on the UC campus, he enjoyed his retirement. He traveled and took several cruises with his friends The Hills, his wife, Georgia Martin and his grandkids — Jasmine Rodriguez and Nasier Ware.
Lee’s passion was cooking. Even though he subscribed to numerous cookbooks and watched cooking shows, he was “old school” never using a recipe and would always say “season to your taste”. Lee had his weekly grilling buddies — Bert Landry and Curt Hunt. They were permanent fixtures at Berkeley Bowl, Sam’s Club and Costco and knew where to find a good bargain.
Lee transitioned from this life on July 20, 2022 at Kaiser Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Lee Versie Crawford, his brother, Frankie Ware, and his daughter, Cynthia Burns-Bolton.

Memories of Lee will forever be cherished by his devoted wife Georgia Martin; his sister, Sherron Ray, his sons Marcus and Robert Ware (Fanné Joella); his daughter and goddaughter Toni Rodriguez and Scoey Alexander; his sons-in-law Saul Rodriguez, Jr. and Ricky Bolton; grandchildren: Jasmine Rodriguez and Nasier Ware, Jason Bolton, Leeajah Ware, Horacia Ware, LaPorshe Ware, Seketha and Lasheka Diggs; his special friends Ira and Liz Hill and especially his “road buddies” Bert Landry and Curtis Hunt. Memories of Lee will also be cherished by another goddaughter Ashanti Landry as well as a host of relatives and friends. His grandkids will remember his standard greeting “What’s up Turkey”. Lee was a unique guy and did things his way. There are many friends and family who have their own Lee Ware story; stories of his kindness, a favorite dish that he cooked or a piece of advice. Hold on to those memories of a great and loving person.