James Vern Slee

Jim spent two years in the Army proudly serving his country in Korea and Japan. In 1960, he married Audrey Merschman who predeceased him. Surviving are three children: Kathy Jones (Lee), Mike Slee and Karen Clark (Ed); two grandchildren: Patrick Jones and Alison Jones; two sisters-in-law, Dinah Slee and Patti Maring, one brother in law, Ed Merschman (Georgia), several nieces and nephews, and five fur babies. He was predeceased by his parents, wife Audrey, two brothers, Jack and Jerry and one grandson, Christopher Jones.

In 1964, they moved to Winter Haven where Jim worked in the phosphate industry for thirty years. In 1994, they moved to Vero Beach, Florida and lived there until 2019 when they moved back to Winter Haven to be closer to family.

Jim was always passionate about cars. A gift he passed on to his son Mike and daughter Karen. Jim and Mike spent many summers traveling around the country with friends going to several Street Rod National car events. Jim and Mike spent many hours building a 1926 Model T sedan converting it to a street rod. Later he restored a 1957 Thunderbird for Audrey, a car that is still in the family.

While in Vero Beach, Jim worked many years for R & L Manufacturing where he developed several close friendships over the years. He also enjoyed volunteering at Our Father's Table Soup Kitchen in Vero Beach. He attended Holy Cross Catholic in Vero Beach and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winter Haven. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity. A special thanks to the nursing staff at Baycare Winter Haven Hospital for the extraordinary care they provided to Dad and family.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home in Winter Haven from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be held at Ott-Laughlin on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM followed by a graveside service at Lakeside Memorial Park in Winter Haven.