J R Lee's Obituary
J.R. Lee was born on September 22, 1928 in Hume, Missouri to Robert and Sylvia (Teagarden) Lee. He died on January 28, 2023 at 94 years of age. His parents intended him to be named John Roscoe, and to go by J.R., however, the doctor recording his birth forgot the name and only remembered the initials, hence his legal name has always been J.R. He grew up on the family farm with his Dad and Mom and his younger sister, Arlone. His Grandpa and Grandma Lee lived just across the field and he was often at their home.
He attended school and church in the Independence area just outside of Hume and graduated from Hume High School in 1946. After high school, he worked on area farms for a few years and then took a job on the Kansas City Southern Railroad, a career he would follow the rest of his working life. He eventually went to work for the Frisco Railroad, which was absorbed by the Burlington Northern and he ended his career as a Communications and Signal Supervisor in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In January, 1949, he married Mary Spratt and they enjoyed a long and loving marriage of over 74 years. Four children were born to this union: Kenneth, Teresa, Steven and Peggy. Kenneth died shortly after his birth. The family lived in Hume, Missouri; Pittsburg, Kansas; and Tulsa, Oklahoma. While in Hume, J.R. was active at the Independence Methodist Church; in Pittsburg, at Grace United Methodist Church; and in Tulsa, at Town and Country Christian Church and then Inola Christian Church. He served for many years as an elder with Town and Country and was always a man of faith, integrity and service.
J.R. loved to fish and loved to take family and friends with him. He spent many days on the Arkansas River just below Keystone Lake and in his boat on Keystone and other area lakes. He was known for his knowledge of the best places to fish and the best way to catch his limit. He shared the fish he caught with the family and with many friends. J.R. also enjoyed raising plants and flowers and was known for the banana trees he had in his back yard.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Kenneth; his sister, Arlone; and his granddaughter, Rebecca (Lee) Coon. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his children, Teresa Bussey (Mark); Steven (Claudia); and Peggy Compton (Rick). He is also survived by five grandchildren (Jennifer Faddis, Chad Compton, Kristin Williams, Matthew Bussey, and Joni Lee); eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren; his sister’s two daughters (Ronda Hastings and Robin Miller); Mary’s five nieces and nephews; and a host of other family members and friends.
A funeral service will be held at Inola Christian Church on Thursday, February 2, at 10:00 a.m., with Jim Page officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory are encouraged to Inola Christian Church Youth Fund, Inola Christian Church, PO Box 782, Inola, OK 74036.
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