Lee Hollis

Lee J. Hollis, 54, of Leawood, Kan., a prominent attorney in Kansas City and beloved father of three sons, died Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. He was struck by a speeding boat while vacationing with his boys in Englewood, Fla., a place he considered his second home and where he loved to spend time with his children.

He was born March 8, 1959, in Cape Girardeau, to Barbara and Jerrold Lee Hollis. He attended Central High School, was named an Eagle Scout, and received his undergraduate (1980) and law (1984) degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he was a member of Sigma Chi and served on the Law Review.

Before attending law school, Lee was employed as a reporter and announcer with KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau, where his father worked 40 years.

He began practicing law in 1984 as an associate with Watson, Ess, Marshall & Enggas, a large Kansas City law firm. In 1988 Lee joined Sprint Corp. as a corporate attorney, where he personally appeared in court and trials on behalf of the company in states across the country. While at Sprint, he met his future wife, Gina Dorazil, whom he married in 1993.

In 1996, Lee left Sprint to start his own trial law practice, The Hollis Law Firm, in Kansas City, Kan. The firm was originally comprised of Lee and his loyal secretary, Peggy Freije-Ray, and has grown into a highly successful personal injury and mass torte firm.

Lee was a brilliant litigator and focused his practice on representing clients who were injured by dangerous prescription drugs and medical devices. He was licensed to practice in Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa and partnered with other firms to handle cases across the country. He helped thousands of clients receive restitution for their injuries. Lee was a member of the American Association for Justice.

Most of all, Lee was a devoted father to sons Bruce, 16, Mark, 15, and Jeff, 14, for whom he lived each day to the fullest. He loved nothing more than spending time with his boys, encouraging their passions, whether they were sports or in other areas. He traveled extensively with his sons to encourage their love of learning. Bruce Hollis attends Shawnee Mission South, Mark attends Blue Valley North, and Jeff attends Barstow School.

Lee was devoted to living a healthy lifestyle, cycling, walking and working out daily. He was an avid reader and photographer. He was a member of the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood.

Lee was predeceased by his father, Jerrold Hollis.

In addition to his sons and wife, Gina, he is survived by his mother and stepfather, Barbara and Wendell Weathers of Sikeston, Mo.; a sister and brother-in-law, Lynne and Cliff Rhodes of Old Saybrook, Conn.; nieces, Nicole and Lauren Rhodes of Old Saybrook; mother-and-father-in- law, Dixie and George Dorazil of Harrisonville, Mo.; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dan and Melissa Dorazil of Parker, Colo.; nephews Matthew and Nathan; and a niece, Kristin Dorazil.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, at Church of Resurrection-United Methodist, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood.

In lieu of flowers, the Hollis family asks that everyone show gratitude and appreciation for their loved ones every day.