Lee Straughan

A. Lee Straughan was the third generation of his family raised in Vaughn, NM, where he was born July 24, 1928. After attending Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM, he worked in the aeronautical engineering field in California and Arizona - at one time working for Howard Hughes. A business entrepreneur, Lee returned to Vaughn to work alongside his father to manage the family business, Vaughn Auto. He also managed other family businesses including the Apache Drive-In, Vaughn Movie Theater, Conoco Oil Co., and Ideal Motel. He later, along with his brothers, Ben and Paul, owned and operated Straughan Chevrolet-Buick until 1965. Lee was elected Mayor of Vaughn from 1963-1965. He started his career with Dale Carnegie Training in 1965 in Scottsdale, AZ. He moved back to Albuquerque in 1967 and became a franchise owner for Dale Carnegie Training for the territories of NM, Southwest Colorado, West Texas, and the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. Lee had an uncanny ability to help others see themselves not as they were but as who they might become and through that philosophy and his leadership he developed nine more Franchisee owners who went on to own franchises in other states as well. His teaching and franchise coaching style created successful franchises in Louisiana, Idaho, California, Texas, New Mexico, South Carolina and Kansas and the countries of Israel and parts of Mexico. In addition there are hundreds of class instructors he developed through his franchise network. A renowned and highly recognized leader in the Dale Carnegie Training organization, Lee received many outstanding awards including President of the Worldwide Sponsor's Association, Sponsor Emeritus, and President of the College-Accrediting Council, before retiring in 2001. During this time Lee was also a successful real estate investor and leadership consultant. During his career Lee served as a Board of Director for many organizations including First National Bank of Albuquerque, Western Bank, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and he was a founding Board Member of Citizens Bank. Lee was a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner. Lee and his wife Rosemarie enjoyed their ranch, the Chuparrosa, in Pagosa Springs Colorado for over 30 years while maintaining a permanent home in Albuquerque. He is survived by his wife, Rosemarie; his daughter, Roann G. Sexson and her partner, Ron Mikus; his son, Ron L. Straughan and wife Cathy; his stepchildren, Jalayne Billingham and husband, Paul, Brad Jenkins and wife, Carol; his eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren, all in Albuquerque. He is also survived by two brothers, Paul Straughan and wife, Margie of Hale Center, TX, Ben Straughan and wife, Beverly of Las Cruces, NM; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his special friends, John Daugherty, Gerald Sexson and Andres and Kattya Rojas. Funeral Service will be Tuesday, August 25, 2015, 3:30 p.m. at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, 4601 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in honor of Lee's love for animals to the Animal Humane Association.