BLOOMINGTON - Lee Newcom, 64, former McLean County Recorder of Deeds and county board member, died Friday afternoon after a short, fierce battle with esophageal cancer.
Once dubbed as the "Christian Conscience of Illinois Politics," Lee headed the Christian Coalition of Illinois for five years in the early 1990s and served as president of the conservative United Republican Fund before seeking elected office.
Before retiring from elected office to start an alpaca farm outside of Bloomington, Lee was often called upon to be on Bruce DuMont's WLS 890 AM "Beyond the Beltway." His perspective would clearly define conservatives' views on Illinois politics.
Lee would say that an issues activist must be a strong, unbending voice to raise the debate and inform the public. An elected official may hold those same positions, but should always be reminded that elected officials must represent those with whom they may strongly disagree on important issues.
Lee was also the visionary that inspired the launch of Illinois Review in 2005. We will always be grateful for his encouragement to establish this work that has served the Illinois conservative community for over ten years.
Last Sunday, Lee - knowing that he was facing his last few days of life on this Earth - said he was content and a very happy man. He was disappointed, though that he would likely not be able to attend the Republican National Convention this summer as a delegate from the 18th CD for his pick in 2016, Ted Cruz.
The Apostle Paul wrote in this Second Corinthians:
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Lee leaves behind wife Jan, and three adult children, Sara, Katie and Matthew, two of which are actively serving in the U.S. military.
A Memorial Service will be Wednesday, February 3, at Eastview Christian Church in Normal, IL. Visitation will begin at 12pm, followed by a celebration of life memorial service at 1pm. (Service will be in the smaller sanctuary, so park on the lower level and head toward the right end of the building.)
A fund has been set up by the family to cover medical and hospice expenses HERE.
