Lee Oliver Gaskins, Jr.

It is really difficult for me to report that one of the most loved members of MOGSouth has passed away.  Lee Gaskins passed away on 8 November. 

Lee Gaskins was a MOGSouth member longer that I can remember and a tremendous friend.  Lee had an unmistakable sense of humor and was probably one of the most knowledgeable Morgan car enthusiasts I will ever know. 

He loved all those in the Morgan community and only his other passion, Tennis, could drag him away from a heady Morgan discussion at any one of our meets.  (The Wimbledon Championships always seemed to coincide with the annual DC MOG events (Morgan Owners Gatherings.))

Lee was my ‘go to’ guy for Morgan history.  If I had a question, I knew where to go for the answer.  He knew far more about the hot rod Morgan Super Sports, the car that won Le Mans, than I think the factory will ever know. 

When I lived in South Carolina, Lee and I were thick as thieves, and to be honest I was more than a willing participant.  I have vivid memories of transporting unobtainable Morgan parts for Lee in the back of my SUV.  Picking them up from wherever and transporting them back to his home in South Carolina.  He asked me to do it, as he didn’t want to let Trisha know he was buying more Morgan stuff!  She thought he had enough.  I was with Lee on this . . . can you ever have enough??

Their home was dedicated to and organized around Lee’s Morgans, both this road cars and his race cars.  Always a Morgan treasure trove to visit.  Really hard to describe . . . nothing short of a Morgan Museum. 

He will be missed, a MOGSouth member and a friend.  Someone we certainly cannot replace. 

Lee’s obituary, as posted in the Spartanburg, SC Herald-Journal is below.

Lee Oliver Gaskins Jr.

Lee Oliver Gaskins, Jr, 86 of Spartanburg, SC, passed away on November 8, 2023 in Johns Creek, GA.

Lee was born in Spartanburg, SC to Sarah Cordelia Cudd Gaskins and Lee Oliver Gaskins Sr on July 6, 1937. He went to school at Spartan High School. He graduated from Clemson University He served in the Army as a Captain. He married Patricia Curry on June 10, 1961 in Columbus, GA. During his career he worked for Liberty Mutual, AMF, Michigan Mutual, Amerisure and Zurich Insurance company. Lee was a member of Morningside Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC. Lee volunteered with Mobile Meals of Spartanburg and Habitat for Humanity.

Lee had a very dry sense of humor, loved to tell a good joke and was an animated storyteller. Lee could fix just about anything and loved to tinker in the garage with his beloved British cars. Lee was an avid tennis player.

Lee is preceded in death by his father, Lee Gaskins Sr, his mother, Sarah Cudd Gaskins, his sister, Nancy Gaskins Floyd and her husband James Wesley Floyd Jr and his sister-in-law Lark Calhoun Gaskins.

Lee is survived by his devoted wife, Trisha Gaskins, his loving children, Trey & LeAnne Gaskins, Georgia Gaskins Callis, Ken and Carolina Gaskins Ortloff, his dear siblings, Guerry and Sallie Gaskins Burnett, Dean and Judy Gaskins, David and Elizabeth Gaskins Barkley, and his eight wonderful grandchildren, Alexis Callis Willman, Katie Gaskins Smith, Anne Gaskins, Nicholas Callis, Emily Gaskins, Grace Gaskins, Ian Ortloff and Lilly Ortloff.

We will hold a celebration of life for Lee in Spartanburg, SC on Monday, November 20, 2023 from 1pm-3pm at Dean Gaskins’ Home 921 Murph Road, Pauline, SC 29374.

In lieu of flowers, donations can made to:

Mobile Meals of Spartanburg, 419 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302

If you would like to send condolences, the address is:

Trisha Gaskins

5050 Kimball Bridge Road

Room 117

Johns Creek, GA 30005

Posted online on November 09, 2023

Published in Spartanburg Herald-Journal