James Herbert Lee

James was born in Bryson City NC on November 6th, 1928 to loving parents Wesley and Hattie Lee. He was the youngest of four. He spent most of his younger years growing up in Asheville NC where he used to trample through the woods in his bare feet, fish with his buddies and play at Sliding Rock.

He graduated from Lee Edwards High School in Asheville NC in 1949 and continued on as a structural detailing apprentice at Dave Steel. James worked in this field for 70 years and laid his pencil down for the last time on June 4, 2024.

James was married to Jerry Lee on February 3rd, 1951. They met in high school and the first time Jerry laid eyes on him, she knew that he was the man she was going to marry.

James was a hardworking, outgoing man and never met a stranger. He used to say that you should never pass a person without smiling at him as you don’t know what struggles he may be going through. He was a man of strong faith and a charming personality. People gravitated towards him and he loved them all. He was compassionate, loving, caring, attentive and funny. If you had the opportunity to know him then you were blessed.

He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and was proud to be a Veteran.

James is preceded in death by his parents and his three siblings. He is survived by his wife: Jerry Lee, son: Jeffrey Scott Lee (Susan), son: Joel Allen Lee (Suzanne), son: Jerry Burton Lee (Glenda), daughter: Jill Lee Millis (Phil) and daughter: Jamie Lee Shearer (Mikel), 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

We will all miss him immensely. He was our rock when things got rough and our little bit of sanity in this crazy world. Because of him, we all have the hearts of a lion, the love of our family and an insane work ethic. We thank him for his words of wisdom, the stories he told, his words of advice, the love he gave us all and the beautiful lives that we have lived. We are all better people because of him. We will forever love and keep him in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Duke HomeCare and Hospice. Information on how to donate is listed below under "donations"

A celebration for James will be held Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Triangle Church of Christ, 2103 Page Rd, Durham, NC 27703.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory of James, or a message to his, you may do so below within ‘Add a Memory’.