Uncle Jake represented for me the men of what Tom Brokaw called the greatest generation. I’ve been in awe of what they did during WWII for my whole life, because they built the world that I grew up in.  These were the men that I wanted to grow up to be…  and now another one is gone.  He and my Aunt Sarah led such different early lives than mine – hard lives full of adventure and tragedy.  And yet they were just Uncle Jake and Aunt Sarah – the people who shared the holidays with us, teased us, fed us, and loved us.  We couldn’t really understand how extraordinary they were until we were older and couldn’t imagine ourselves measuring up to them.
Uncle Jake and Aunt Sarah connected us to a big family that extended far beyond southern California, and as life goes on I appreciate that more and more.  They never failed to tell us that they loved us and thought about us often, and they were always happy to see us.  Even as a 60-something guy living thousands of miles away, I can’t tell you how those things always made me feel.
After my dad had passed away, Uncle Jake and Aunt Sarah looked after mom and always made sure that she was included in family events.  When she started to lose her short-term memory this was a challenge for people who had their own health issues, but they never faltered.
The only time I ever saw Uncle Jake cry was when he was saying goodbye to my mom as she left to move closer to my family in Michigan.  I knew that they had always been close, but I never really understood until that moment.  I can still see them in my mind’s eye on that day, both of them crying and hugging each other, and it still breaks my heart. 
I will miss Uncle Jake and Aunt Sarah for the rest of my days.  And while saying goodbye is sad, it’s also a call to laugh together about all of the happier times that they made for us.  Remembering those times keeps them here with us for as long as we ourselves remember.  So rest in peace, Uncle Jake and Aunt Sarah, until we meet again.

My favorite memory is my over 50 year friendship with the Lee family. From the first time I met them they were so warm and welcoming to their home. It wasn’t until the last few years that I learned about Jakes service to our country during  WWII. He was such a humble man and was the perfect example of what a husband, father, friend and neighbor should be. I was proud to call Jake a friend and honored that he called me a friend. Whenever I think of Jake and Sarah it brings a smile to my face and I’m so thankful for all that they gave me. I could go on and on about all the ways they made me feel special every time I came over but I know everyone else who knew them would have the same memories. Thank you Jake and Sarah.

Jake was such a humble and giving man.  There was never a time when my Dad (Tom) and I were at Jake and Sarah's that we did not leave without a gift of something special to take home.  It could have been fruit off the tree, something Sarah made, or piece of a plant clipping.  I still have one gift, a Sega Palm, that is growing beautifully in the front yard.  Very thankful to have known Jake.  Loving Memories

Deby and Dennis Coffey 

Jake and Sarah were so gracious about welcoming me into the family when Greg and I got together.  We instantly hit it off with lots of fun "cultural" similarities, as my mom's family was from the same region (Arkansas and the Texas/Oklahoma region).  They not only reminded me of my own family, they instantly treated me as family and I've never forgotten how open-hearted they were about that...even on into later years when our boys would come along for the visits to Canyon Country also.  And they were there to support us when Max & Sally passed away, after many many years of being Sally & Max's closest friends and caretakers.  Our boys always loved to hear Jake tell stories (which he loved to do!) and he always left them in stitches.  (Me too!)  I'll always be grateful that they both taught me to play "Chicken Foot" and we had so many good laughs while playing.  I will cherish the times I had an opportunity to visit both of them at the Kensington as well.  I'll be tuning into the Zoom service (thank you for making that available), and my heart is with you all this day and every day.  Love,   Kathy W-M

James Carlton Lee, died November 30, 2021, at The Kensington in Sierra Madre, CA. He previously resided in Santa Clarita, CA (Canyon Country) for 53 years. He lived within 3 months of being 100 years of age. Born February 11, 1922, in Subiaco, AR, to Edward Briton Lee and Rosevelt Lee (nee Wright). Friends, family and his eight sisters knew him as “Jake” or "Jim".
 
He was a hard working builder and provider almost his entire life. He loved cars, trucks, horses, pretty much anything that moved. He had business classes at the Abby in Subiaco, but decided he had too much energy and preferred to work outside. He was a farmer, built homes, was a licensed contractor, and a 70 year pin member of the Carpenters Union, last at Local 661. Projects worked include Oklahoma’s 10 Killer dam, built sets for the TV show “Laugh-In” and "Dean Martin Show", was on numerous job sites in the LA area, helped his neighbors when asked, and he even made boomerangs. He helped his 4 kids with homework, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts, football, baseball, fishing, camping trips, barbecues, recitals and more. He talked low, slow, and not too much, like his favorite John Wayne. He loved to hear and tell jokes, many times laughing before the punch line. He was known for the twinkle in his eyes.

 He was married 74 years to the Texas raised Sarah Julia Taylor, the love of his life. Their 4 children by age are Jerry Lee, Judy Hermann, Joan Schmitt, and James Lee Jr., also 7 grand children, and 11 great grands. He is preceded in death by Sarah’s passing on June 18, 2020, by his parents, 5 of his 8 sisters, a baby brother, and 1 grandson. Safe travels to Heaven’s home.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to AMVETS, American Heart Association or your favorite charity in his name.

James Carlton Lee’s Military Service

He honorably served in the 644th Tank Destroyer Battalion of the U.S. Army from Dec. 1942 until Nov. 1945 after WW2 ended. He was in the Reconnaissance Company driving a Jeep finding enemy tanks in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. Active combat duty included deploying at Utah Beach a month after D-Day where he participated in Operation Cobra and then drove west to liberate the German stronghold at Brest.  His unit then moved east across France where they were in the Battle for Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge. His battalion was the first armored unit to cross into Germany at Duren. He then helped liberate numerous towns and the Wöbbelin Concentration Camp. He was wounded in action in Germany April 24, 1945, received a Purple Heart, and continued on after VE-Day (May 08, 1945) in mop up operations until the unit was disbanded.

James Carlton Lee, died November 30, 2021, at The Kensington in Sierra Madre, CA. He previously resided in Santa Clarita, CA (Canyon Country) for 53 years. He lived within 3 months of being 100 years of age. Born February 11, 1922, in Subiaco, AR, to Edward Briton Lee and Rosevelt Lee (nee Wright). Friends, family and his eight sisters knew him as “Jake” or "Jim".
 
He was a hard working builder and provider almost his entire life. He loved cars, trucks, horses, pretty much anything that moved. He had business classes at the Abby in Subiaco, but decided he had too much energy and preferred to work outside. He was a farmer, built homes, was a licensed contractor, and a 70 year pin member of the Carpenters Union, last at Local 661. Projects worked include Oklahoma’s 10 Killer dam, built sets for the TV show “Laugh-In” and "Dean Martin Show", was on numerous job sites in the LA area, helped his neighbors when asked, and he even made boomerangs. He helped his 4 kids with homework, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts, football, baseball, fishing, camping trips, barbecues, recitals and more. He talked low, slow, and not too much, like his favorite John Wayne. He loved to hear and tell jokes, many times laughing before the punch line. He was known for the twinkle in his eyes.

 He was married 74 years to the Texas raised Sarah Julia Taylor, the love of his life. Their 4 children by age are Jerry Lee, Judy Hermann, Joan Schmitt, and James Lee Jr., also 7 grand children, and 11 great grands. He is preceeded in death by Sarah’s passing on June 18, 2020, by his parents, 5 of his 8 sisters, a baby brother, and 1 grandson. Safe travels to Heaven’s home.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to AMVETS, American Heart Association or your favorite charity in his name.

OBITUARY

James "Jake" Lee

February 11, 1922 – November 30, 2021

Eternal Valley Memorial Park & Mortuary

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James "Jake" Lee

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