James Lee

James Lee

James Lee
October 8, 1946 – August 31, 2015
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 68

James Lee, 68, of Oskaloosa, died Monday, August 31, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was born Tuesday, October 8, 1946 in Marengo, Iowa, the son of Francis and Doris Mumm Lee.

Jim graduated from English Valley High School with the class of 1964. Early on, Jim went to work with his father at the grain elevator in Webster, Iowa. He worked there until 1980, when he began his career as a seed salesman. He sold seed for various companies and was currently selling Rainbow and Dura-Crop seed for Pierson Seed. Jim loved working with farmers and helping them be successful in their operations. He was a successful salesman because he cared about people and took time to talk to and get to know them. He was always positive and looked for the blessing in every situation.

Jim was blessed with three children: Troy, Tracy and Kari, all of which he adored. He had spent several summers working at the Iowa State Fair and he looked forward to the fair every year. He enjoyed trips to Riverside, Tama and Las Vegas. Jim was always lucky. However, on March 4, 2005, he hit the jackpot and married the love of his life Linda Spears in Las Vegas. The last ten years were his happiest.

Jim was a past member of the Catholic Church in Ottumwa and he enjoyed attending the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa. He also enjoyed camping, working in his yard, dancing, traveling, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, and feverishly rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes. As a teenager he enjoyed go-cart racing all over southern Iowa. He delighted in spending time with his family. As a final act of generosity, Jim was an organ and tissue donor, his gift of life will enrich the lives of many.

His family includes his wife, Linda Lee of Oskaloosa; five children: Troy (& Jill) Lee of Des Moines, Tracy (& Bob) Owen of Oskaloosa, Kari (& T.J.) Nydle of Rock Island, Illinois, Holly Koehler of Muscatine, and Josh (& Julie) Spears of Rose Hill; ten grandchildren: Courtney Lee, Hunter Lee, Kylie Hill, Breyanna Hill, Casey Hill, Madison Owen, Spencer Owen, Dillinger Thomas, Jacob Spears and Zachary Spears; and his mother in law, Fran Ferguson of Oskaloosa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Jerry Francis Lee; and son-in-law, Larry Koehler.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. at the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Michael Omundson officiating.
Burial will be in Garrett Cemetery in Delta.
Visitation will begin Wednesday after 1 P.M. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with the family present at the funeral chapel Wednesday from 5 – 7 P.M. to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to Oskaloosa First Christian Church or the James Lee Memorial Fund, which will be used to purchase a token of appreciation for the Oskaloosa Police Department and EMTs.