H. Rex Lee

Who was H. Rex Lee?

Hyrum Rex Lee, usually called H. Rex Lee, was the last non-elected Governor of American Samoa. He was governor from May 24, 1961 to July 31, 1967 and from May 28, 1977 until January 3, 1978. He was the seventh appointed civilian Governor of American Samoa. Born in Rigby, Idaho and a Democrat, Lee served as Federal Communications Commission commissioner from 1968 to 1973.

Lee died at his home in San Diego, California, on July 26, 2001, at the age of 91. He had 5 children. He was a friend of entertainment mogul Walt Disney, who visited the Lee family and stayed at their home. His wife, Lillian Lee, died in April 2010 at the age of 97.