James (Jim) Aldophe Lee passed from this life to the next at the age of 90 on Friday, November 9, 2018. Jim was born on December 25, 1927 in Hoboken, Georgia to Jessie James Lee and Edna Altman Lee. He grew up in Brantley County, GA in a loving and hardworking family alongside six siblings, and before graduating from Nahunta, Georgia U.S.A. High School he experienced harvesting tobacco, picking cotton, and working in a shipyard building Liberty Ships. Jim had an entrepreneur’s spirit even in grade school, when he would purchase packs of chewing gum and sell sticks individually for a profit.
Jim enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and attended US Maritime School in St. Petersburg, FL and then served in the U.S. Merchant Marines. He also attended the U.S. Army Basic and Engineering School and earned wings as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division. He served overseas during the occupation of Japan in 1946-47. Jim earned an Honorable Discharge from all three branches of the military during active war times of WWII.
After returning to the United States, Jim graduated Florida Barber College, Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College, and the University of Georgia, earning a degree in Agricultural Engineering.
Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alene Lee. The two were married in August 1959 in Orlando, FL. During their 58 years of marriage, Jim and Alene enjoyed traveling together, and in addition to touring the continental U.S. they also traveled to Hawaii, Israel, Egypt and Mexico.
During his professional career, Jim was an agricultural engineer and citrus grower; he and Alene eventually started their own company, Irrigation World, Inc. and Jim Lee Sales, Inc. He was an involved member of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Florida Irrigation Society, Irrigation Association, and Rotary Club.
In 1975 Jim and Alene made the decision to follow Jesus, and since then Jim has been a leader in the faith and has instilled spiritual wisdom into the lives of his family and those around him. He attended The First Presbyterian Church of Maitland, Calvary Assembly in Winter Park and First Baptist Church of Longwood. He served as deacon, an elder, a fellowship group leader and counselor.
Jim and Alene were the loving parents of Patricia Hill, Michael Barnett, and Suzanne Lee Homan. Jim is survived by his children, his brother Gwendel Lee, his 10 grandchildren (Ben Homan, Scott Homan, Lilly Muszynski, Mardi Christoff, Dusty Spafford, Mandy Ryll, Sandy Danielson, Bobby Barnett, Robbie Barnett, and Holly Goode), and 14 great-grandchildren.
Jim was an inspiration to his family and a great encouragement to many. He was a loving and faithful husband, father, and granddad. His focus on thankfulness to God will echo in the lives of his family and friends, and he will be deeply missed.
Visitation and Memorial Service for Jim Lee will be held on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at Calvary Assembly in Winter Park. The visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. and the service at 1:00 p.m. There will also be a Military Graveside Service following at 3:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Gotha.
Condolences may be offered at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com.
