John Lee

John Harold Lee was born June 27, 1951 to Ovia and Barbara Lee in Colby, Kansas. He went home to his Heavenly Father in the early morning hours of May 3, 2015 surrounded by his wife Jeanene; son Josh; daughter Kallie; son-in-law Dane; and Pastor Lyle. John graduated from Colby High School in May of 1969. That same August he entered the United States Navy. While in the Navy, he served three tours in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on July, 18, 1978. He moved back to Colby and joined the Army National Guard. He was honorably discharged from the Guard in 1982. John was very proud of his service to our country but refused to share the details of his tours in Vietnam. He said they were too awful and he would rather just keep them to himself. John officially met his future wife in April of 1979. It took him a while, but they had their first date on a Sunday night in July, and by the next Saturday, Jeanene had her engagement ring. John was employed at the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office at the time and attended three months at the law enforcement academy. On December 1, 1979, John and Jeanene were married at the First Christian Church. They welcomed their first son, Josh, in August of 1980. Fourteen months later, they welcomed their second son, Brad, in October of 1981. They decided to try one more time for a girl, and in August 1983, Kallie was born. John was always very proud of all three of his children. He especially enjoyed watching Josh’s basketball team. That team won the 4A state title Josh’s senior year. He was proud when Brad joined the Army and flew as a crew chief on a Blackhawk helicopter in Afghanistan. Watching Kallie become an RN was a thrill for John. His baby girl has a special love for people and she shows it in her work. John worked in law enforcement for several years and was happy that he was able to save some lives and keep the community a little safer. He then drove semi for Werner Enterprises and Goodheart Trucking before going to work in a grain elevator in Colby, Pence, and finally Scott City, before becoming disabled in 2001. John fought his illnesses for his family. A lot of people would have given up many times over, but John was determined to walk his daughter down the aisle and to get to know his grandchildren. He especially wanted to take care of Jeanene. Finally, his body simply could not fight anymore, even though he was still determined to be here for his family. The blessing was that his family was able to assure him that it was okay for him to go, that he was loved, and that his memory would be kept alive for the grandbabies through stories. Preceding him in death were his parents and many aunts and uncles. Left with wonderful memories are his wife, Jeanene, sons Josh and wife Cody and Brad and his wife Roselin, and daughter Kallie and her husband Dane. He is also survived by grandchildren Kaylee, Brandon, Ambria, Jayden, Jackson, Piper Eve, and Everleigh, his Bitty. John is also survived by his brother Jack and wife Cindy, and many other relatives and friends.