Lee Robert Green

“A festival is an extreme event! It gives the participants the opportunity to give, receive and express beyond the limits of their everyday world. As a result, the experience allows enhancement of their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual state of awareness. The combination of these states in fellowship with others in a festival environment allows the veil between heaven and earth to pass away. Suddenly, we are expressing divine love in natural oneness with each other. At that point uncommon service becomes a natural extension of ourselves. You realize you are giving to others who are an extension of yourself.” —Excerpt from Lee Green’s acceptance speech as Texas Music Festival Association Volunteer of the Year (May 24, 1987)

Lee Robert Green landed on this planet in Garden City, Kansas, to Delmar and Edna Green on March 20, 1947, and from the very beginning, he carried something special. A builder, a dreamer, a steady hand, and a soul that recognized the divine in everyone he met.

He left this world peacefully at home in Hunt, Texas, with his beloved Cheryl by his side just as he would have planned the evening of April 03, 2026. He showed Cheryl the side of him with his deeply, caring, devoted, and peaceful heart.

Lee was an Eagle Scout who later became a Scoutmaster, carrying forward his lifelong commitment to service and mentorship. He graduated from Kansas State University and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. For over 40 years, Lee owned and operated Hot Tar Roofing in Austin.

It was at the Kerrville Folk Festival, 38 years ago, that Lee met Cheryl, the love of his life. One year later, they were married at Chapel Hill and from that moment forward, their lives were woven together in a way that felt both grounded and destined.

The festival wasn’t just a place for Lee—it was part of who he was. A visionary in every sense, Lee first came to Kerrville in the 1970s, he gave his hands, his mind, and his heart to that land. Many of the structures there still stand because Lee showed up, rolled up his sleeves, and made things happen as he was an engineer at heart. But more than what he built… was how he lived. Lee was known for always having a list, working steadily on his own while helping others with theirs. He was a manifester, an engineer of both ideas and community.

Lee saw the divine in everyone. He was a listener, counselor, meditator, voice of reason and spirit, generous, thoughtful, and deeply present for those around him. He planned carefully, especially for the future, with a special focus on Cheryl, his “pretty wife.” In his final years, he made sure everything was in place so she would be cared for. In many ways, he waited until his work was complete before peacefully departing.

More than anything, Lee saw the divine in everyone. He was a seer and a listener, a counselor, a meditator, and a steady voice of reason. He carried a quiet, wry humor that could catch you off guard and leave you smiling. Generous and thoughtful, he was a kind friend with a peaceful heart, offering grace and understanding to all who crossed his path.

Through decades of involvement in festivals, Lee became a lifelong student, teacher, storyteller, and concerned citizen. 

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Delmar and Edna Green.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Cheryl Green; his siblings Greg, Brian, Cory, and Ann; his sister-in-law Ramona; his niece Jessica and a whole community of people whose lives are better because of the connection Lee and they made.

Services for Lee will be held during this year’s Kerrville Folk Festival, with more details to come. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kerrville Folk Festival.

Lee’s light knows no bounds. He shines on in all of us—whirling green, green, green

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