By Deborah Larsen
Lee Thomas Masters
Lee Thomas Masters, known to family and friends as “Dub,” was born in Caro, Michigan, on February 19, 1920, the son of Leland and Eva Wiltse Masters. The Masters family moved to Rochester when Dub was a teen, and he attended Rochester High School, where he played cornet in the school band and graduated in the class of 1937.
Before the war, Dub worked as a printer, following his father in the same trade, and as a musician. He played the trumpet and conducted his own swing band.
In July 1941, Dub enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was made a bandsman first class in the post band at the Parris Island, South Carolina, Marine base. He was later stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he conducted a swing band. Dub was released from military service in October 1945.
After the war, Dub moved to Swartz Creek, Michigan. He owned L & M Typesetting and was a printer for the Flint Journal.
Lee Thomas Masters died at age 58 on June 11, 1978, and was laid to rest in Flint, Michigan.