Arthur Lee Queen

Arthur Lee “Doc” Queen, 92, passed away on January 29, 2026, at Baldwin Healthcare in Baldwin City, Kansas. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 6, 2026, in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Hiawatha, Kansas.

Born April 13, 1933, in St. Joseph, Missouri to Jess and Meta Queen. Arthur grew up in Hiawatha, Ks. He fondly remembers meeting J.C. Penney as a child during the ribbon cutting at the store in Hiawatha and shaking JC Penney’s hand. He graduated from the University of Kansas and later attended and graduated from optometry school in Memphis. While in Memphis he became acquainted with Elvis Presley. At age 23, he was a licensed optometrist and started his own practice in Downtown Lawrence in which he practiced for 35 years before retiring. This is how he got his nickname “Doc” given to him by many patients and his family.

Arthur married Phyllis Brown and had two sons, Lee and Jess, they later divorced. Arthur later married Karen M. Schmitz. Arthur was active in the Masons, the Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club, and the Kansas Optometric Association. He enjoyed hunting and traveling throughout his life, especially after retirement with Karen.

He was proceeded in death by his father Jess, mother Meta and son Jess. He is survived by his wife, Karen M. Schmitz; his children Lee (Lori) Queen, Michael Schmitz, and Amy (Casey) Springer; five grandchildren—Adam, Libby, Leslie, Bobby, and Analise; and four great‑grandchildren—Margaret, Jack, Wyatt and Charlotte.

The family suggests memorials to Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.