Sergeant Major Lee L. Vampola, a beloved husband, father, son and friend to many, passed away on February 15th 2024 in Vass, North Carolina. He was born on February 2nd, 1985 in Omaha, Nebraska to his loving parents Kenneth Vampola and Cherie Largent. He was raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his mother and stepfather, Joel Fisher, and he enjoyed spending time with both dads on camping trips and outings in the mountains.
Lee’s life was marked by bravery and selflessness from an early age. He enlisted in the United States Army as an infantryman on March 2, 2004. After completing initial training, he was assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Benning, Georgia; United Nations Command in South Korea in 2007; United States Army Special Operations Command in 2008, Military Freefall School in Yuma, Arizona in 2012. He returned to United States Special Operations Command in 2014, where he directed no-fail missions, in coordination with the DOD and inter-agency partners in support of Joint Task Force operations across the globe.
Lee was a beloved husband to Keri and a devoted father and hero to their daughter Michaela. Lee combined his devilish grin and his remarkable brilliance with genuine kindness, always offering his undivided attention, making those around him feel truly seen and heard. His ability to understand and value everyone made him the kind of friend we all strive to be and to have. He was a patriot and a loving family man.
Lees passing has left an indelible void in the hearts of those who knew him. He is survived by his wife Keri and his daughter Michaela; parents, Cherie Largent and Kenneth (Brenda) Vampola; grandmothers, Bobbie Largent and Karen Vampola; Brother, Joseph (Katlin) Vampola; sisters, Kathryn (Caleb) Vampola-Lusienski and Sarah (Jon) Bodlak and his son, Connor McPhilomy.
Viewing and Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, 8 March 2024 at Grace Church, Seven Lakes Campus.145 West Plaza Drive, West End NC 27376 with CH (COL) Jay Outen officiating.
Burial will follow at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to Coast to Coast Foundation at https://cxcfoundation.org.
