John Ridings Lee

On August 17, 2021, John Ridings Lee of Dallas TX and Malibu CA, took flight on his next adventure. The teller of many stories, his epilog was peaceful and quiet, but his absence will be audible. He will hold his place in our stories now as a hero, auto racer and collector, husband, father, and friend, and he can rest assured that within each story he will be remembered with honor and respect. Part insurance executive, part gentleman, part good old boy, indisputably a beloved Texan.

John was born May 1, 1937, in Dallas Texas. Son of Dr. Ridings E Lee and Katheryn Lee. In 1961 he married to Carole Meletio.

John attended the Jesuit Prep School in Dallas Texas graduating in May 1953 and Highland Park High School Graduating in May 1954. SMU Cox Business School Graduate May 1958 with Business and Math degrees.

1962 US Army Special Forces, 1965 Employed by Lloyds of London Syndicate as Life cover and reinsurance specialist. Southwestern Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries from 1964 to current. Independent Life underwriter from 1965 to the present.

Hobbies, hunting big game, including Africa, fishing Bass in East Texas and Salmon in Denmark.

In 1954 started an antique autos collection, specializing in European sports and race cars. Many first-place trophies, Pebble Beach, Mille Miglia, Monte Carlo Rally, Le mans Retro, and represented the U.S. in 1995 "Around the World Vintage Car Race".

Boards: Dedman School SMU, North American National Life Ins. Co., Southwestern Medical Foundation, Akuratus, Worksoft, Center for Economic Performance, North American National Risk Services, Goodman Institute and Plan America Healthcare.

Business Affiliations: Employee Plans Management Co., President, Management Compensation Group CEO, John Ridings Lee Co. Inc. CEO, North America National Corp. CEO, North American National Re CEO, North American National Risk Services CEO, Center for Economic Performance, Goodman Institute, Plan America Healthcare CEO.

Professional affiliations: AALU, MDRT, DALU, Dallas Estate Council, Dallas Health Underwriters Association, as well as other insurance related professional organizations.

Survived by Carole Meletio Lee, Spouse, George Michael Lee Son, Stephen Geerts, Linda Clevenger Sister, Tom Clevenger brother-in-law, John E. Meletio brother-in-law, Gail Madden sister-in-law, Bill Madden brother-in-law, Rodney Madden nephew, David Meletio nephew, Chris Clevenger nephew, Leslie Madden niece, Debra Meletio Smryl niece, Jerry & Judy Kagay cousin and spouse and 13 nieces and nephews.

Member of Christ the King Catholic Church, The St Jude Society Foundation, The Board of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and the Catholic Foundation.

He loved God, his family, this country, and his friends, discussions, laughs, sharing stories and memories at the Dallas Country Club Roundtable and the great staff that was always there for them.

The Memorial Mass at Christ the King Catholic Church at 1 pm on Wednesday, August 25, 2021.

Contributions can be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, Southwestern Medical Foundation or Dallas Performing Arts.

"Only those are fit to live who do not fear to die and none are fit to die who have shrunk from the job of life and the duty of life. Both life and death are part of the same great adventure"

Adios my Friends