Jimmy was born on April 18, 1941, in Columbia, Missouri; the son of James Norton Lee and Mary Ellen (Brown) Lee. On November 25, 1983 he married his wife of 41 years, Donna (McCracken) Lee.
Jimmy held a 20 year career as a Fire Engineer at the Columbia Fire Department, where he retired in 1991. During this time he built houses, worked as a auto and tractor mechanic, as well as welding. Prior to that, he served in the Army National Guard. He loved woodworking, hobby farming, gardening and was a member of the Missouri Valley Steam Engine Association.
He will be missed and forever remembered by his wife, Donna Lee; his children Lori (Joe) Canole of Harrisburg, Cindy Pollock of Clark, Todd (Laura) Lee of Columbia; step-children Brian (Christine) Sapp of Ashland, Christy (Kenny) Stanley of Festus, Robyn (Tim) Allen of New Bloomfield; grandchildren Ashley (Danny) Vargas, James (Katie) Nichols, Shelby Canole, Aaron (Amanda Proctor) Canole, Ben (Amanda) Pollock, Sam (Cara) Pollock, Jessica (Dakota) Cable, Emily Lee; step-grandchildren Alyssa Sapp, Anthony (Katy) Sapp, Taylor Allen, and Sadie Allen; 10 great grandchildren, 2 step-great grandchildren; and sister Dorothy Roberts.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents; mother of his children, Linda Perrigo; and daughter Vickie Lee (Nichols).
Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia. Memorial services will follow at 11:00 AM with Pastor Carol Cable officiating.