Linthicum’s lasting goodbye

Lee Linthicum was known for his creativity and positive outlook on life.

The former senior draftsman who worked for Superior Ironworks, Inc. for 28 years left an eternal electronic love note to his wife of 24 years to prove it.

“To my true love, Vicki,” Lee, a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan, wrote on his blog June 2 underneath his final headline ‘Cadman Signing Out.’ “Until we meet again and to all the other FREEBIRDS let our wings soar.”

Lee has suffered for the past two years from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, after the renowned first baseman.

He died at his Culpeper home around 3:30 Tuesday morning with his wife, Vicki, by his side. He was 47.

“He was a sweet spirited person,” said Vicki, sitting in her living room surrounded by an abundance of family photos.

Lee was diagnosed in September 2006 and the disease caused his health steadily to deteriorate, forcing him to use a cane and then a wheelchair.

ALS is a progressive disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Vicki’s blue eyes welled up with tears as she shared fond memories of her loving husband.

“He was ready,” said Vicki, who works at Sycamore Park Elementary School as a STRIDES intervention specialist. “He was tired. He had fought the good fight and he had hung in there through the whole process.”

Vicki said Lee had always tried to keep an optimistic attitude about everything.

“His motto was that his glass was always half full,” she added.

His brother, Ray, agreed.

In honor of Lee’s catchphrase, Ray recently got a tattoo of a half-full glass on his left arm with the word “brother” written on it.

“Even though he was my brother, he was my best friend,” said Ray, as he fought back tears that eventually rolled down the sides of his cheeks.

Their mother, Barbara, a petite gray-haired woman with a raspy voice, said Lee was a wonderful child.

“He’s been a big inspiration to the whole family through all of this,” she said. “We’ve definitely learned a lot from him.”

His sister, Pam Symington, who is the eldest of the three siblings, said her brothers were two peas in a pod as children. Lee was the middle child.

“They were trouble coming,” said Pam.

Culpeper Rock Academy owner Keith MacDonald, who sponsored the 2007 Rock Fest for Lee and raising nearly $7,000 for his family, said Lee motivated many.

“Lee was not a person we felt sorry for — he was strong and did not fear his imminent death. On the contrary, Lee Linthicum was an inspiration to me and made me understand that most troubles in life are minuscule — especially when compared to the adversity Lee faced in his daily struggle,” said MacDonald.

Creative communications
Toward the end, Lee lost the ability to speak because the disease weakened his muscles, starting from his extremities and progressing toward his upper torso.

Using his left hand, he would type out phrases on his laptop to communicate to his family. Sometimes, Lee would even “write” letters in the air and Vicki would try to figure out what he was trying to say.

“It was just quicker and easier that way,” said the mother of two.

Vicki said one of the last things Lee wanted to do was start a blog.

And Lee listed his reasoning on his home page.

“I started this blog because I have been diagnosed with ALS and I choose to live and share,” he wrote last year.

His blog started January 2007.

His online entries are about his family, his travels and poignant moments in his life.

Lee always ended his entries with “God bless and take care.”

Lee leaves behind his wife, Vicki; two children, Erica, 21, and Chad, 18; his brother, Ray; his sister, Pam, and his parents, Delbert and Barbara.

His 18-year-old son graduates from Culpeper County High School on Saturday.

Lee was also a diehard Redskins fan who enjoyed woodworking, playing pool, darts and fishing.

A memorial service will be held at Found and Sons Funeral Chapels at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .