Lee E Velasquez

Lee Eugene Velasquez was born March 6, 1959, in Wichita, Kansas, to Marilyn and Joe Velasquez. He graduated from Heights High School in 1977 and went on to Wichita State University, earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1981. He worked as an educator for several years before pursuing the law, attending Washburn Law School and earning his juris doctor in 1989.

Mr. Velasquez practiced labor and employment law in Las Vegas, Nevada, before returning to his home state of Kansas, where he spent the last 22 years of his life. In Kansas he continued to build a career centered on advocacy for children, becoming known as a strong child advocate throughout his practice and serving frequently as a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of children in juvenile and adult matters.

Beyond his legal work, Mr. Velasquez devoted himself to community service. He was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer in Cowley County and served on that organization's board, and he also served on the boards of the Burford Center for the Arts, SafeHomes, and TFI, The Farm. An accomplished musician, he earned numerous awards and continued to play for church and community events. Lee Eugene Velasquez died January 14, 2021, at the age of 61.