James C. Lee

James Clement Lee passed away on February 22, 2016 at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home in Augusta, Georgia. He was 93 years old.   James was born in Willacoochee, Georgia on December 12, 1922 to George Washington Lee, Sr. and Melvina “Vinie” Corbitt Lee. He was the last survivor of seven brothers -- George Jr., Roy, Gerald, Dorman, Earl and Charles -- all of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Lola Mae Smith Ricketson Lee.   After graduating from high school in Willacoochee, James joined the United States Navy in 1941. After basic training, he was assigned duty as a Seaman 2nd Class on the USS Pelias, a submarine tender that would fatefully drop anchor at Pearl Harbor five days before the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. Fortunately, he survived the attack and continued to serve in the Navy for several more years in the Pacific before leaving the service to return to civilian life. However, he again felt the call of duty and returned to military service by enlisting in the United States Army in 1948. His service in the Army included stations in Texas, Germany, South Korea, Mississippi and Georgia. He retired from the Army in 1963.   In 1966, James returned to college to finish his undergraduate degree. He enrolled at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida and graduated in 1970 with baccalaureate degree in teaching. He was offered a position at Tift County Junior High School, teaching industrial arts for nearly 15 years. He and his wife continued to live in Tifton after retirement, participating in various activities that included volunteering at the VFW, distributing Thanksgiving meals to the needy, and hosting international students from Brazil, Germany, Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, and South Korea. Many of the students from Tift County Junior High School and abroad, kept in touch over the years resulting in long-lasting friendships.   Even after witnessing the most horrific attack in World War II, and experiencing the violence and tribulations of war, James did not hate the people of the countries that were once enemies of the United States. In 2006, he was asked by a high school class in Indiana to describe his experiences during the attack on Pearl Harbor and about his feelings about the former enemies in World War II. He responded, “I didn’t hold a grudge against the Japanese for very long. A grudge only hurts the person who holds it.”   James is survived by his daughter Elaine Ricketson Danks (Richard) and sons Ray Lee (Shary) and Keith Lee, Sr. (Lynn); two grandchildren Jenn Danks and Keith “Kel” Lee, Jr. (Ashley); and two great-grand children, Sawyer James Lee and Parker Jaxon Lee. He is also survived by many in-laws, nephews and nieces.   Funeral services for Mr. Lee were held Friday, February 26, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at Kirkland United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Huffstuttler officiating. The eulogy was given by Mr. Lee’s son Ray Lee. Special music included “Amazing Grace” by the attending congregation with Lila Deems accompanying on the piano. Prelude and Postlude music was presented by Lila Deems, pianist. The internment followed in the Willacoochee City Cemetery with full Military Honors rendered by an Honor Guard contingent from Fort Stewart, Ga.