James Lee III, of Marion, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2014, at his home.
James was born on June 25, 1925 in Marion, the son of James A. and Stella Mae (Gay) Lee, II. He attended the Marion Harding High School and graduated in the class of 1943.
James was part of the Greatest Generation and served his country with pride during WWII. He served in the United States Army and fought in the 2nd wave on the beaches of Normandy. He was awarded the French Medal of Honor. James also sustained injury and was awarded the Purple Heart, which he declined saying that he was just doing his job and serving his country like every other soldier.
James came back from the war and married his sweetheart, Imogene “Jean” Irene Bowman in Marion, OH on March 28, 1948. They have shared 66 years of marriage together.
James worked at the Marion Power Shovel for over 30 years, performing a variety of jobs.
James never sat idly by, there wasn’t a moment in his day that he didn’t have some kind of a project he was working on. He was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America. He proudly contributed his time and talents to organizing and arranging campouts. He would build whatever was needed for the Scouts or cut the grass, whatever he could do to help.He was awarded the high honor of Silver Beaver and Order of the Arrow.
He was a member of the Kentucky Colonels and could be found along roadside rest stops offering travelers a hot beverage or a midnight snack. In his retirement, he volunteered at the Marion Senior Center driving the van around town and also delivering Meals on Wheels. Often times when he delivered those meals he would lend a helping hand to fix what needed fixing. He did everything with a quiet sense of integrity and humbleness.
James loved anything that had to do with outdoors; camping, hunting, hiking or the like. He was a member of the local and national Campers and Hikers. He very much enjoyed watching NASCAR races or any other race he could find. Above all, he cherished his time with the grandchildren and supported them in every endeavor.
Those who remain to honor his memory include his beloved wife Jean Lee; his children: Karen Smith of Marion, Kathy (Jerry) McManus of Lubbock, TX and James Lee IV of Blacklick, OH; grandchildren: Paul (Mai) Gerlach, Brian (Michelle) Medley, Eric (Heather) Medley, Brandon Lee and Evan Lee; great grandchildren: Catelyn, Deric, Hannah and Elsie Jean Medley; siblings: Robert Gay (Dorothy) Lee and Jerry Dale (Micki) Lee; and also a brother in law Jim Erick.
He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Martha Kay (Bill) Bosse, Wilma Ruth Erick, John Carl Lee and twins Margaret and Marjory Lee.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at the Gunder/Hall & Folk Funeral Home, a division of Snyder Funeral Homes, 347 West Center St., Marion from 10:30AM to 12PM; Funeral services will immediately follow at 12PM with Celebrant Don Lockwood officiating; Burial will be in the Chapel Heights Memorial Gardens.
If so desired, donations may be made to the Boy Scouts of America.
The Gunder/Hall & Folk Funeral Home, along with the Snyder Funeral Homes, are honored to be serving James’s family and condolences may be expressed to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
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