James Lee Obituary

James Edward Lee Mt. Pleasant - James "Jimmy" Edward Lee, 94, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, husband of Kathleen Edwards Lee died peacefully at home Monday, March 21, 2016. His Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 26, 2016 in the J. HENRY STUHR, INC., MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends Saturday at 10:00 a.m. before the service at the funeral home. A reception will follow the service in the Burges Center at Franke at Seaside, 1885 Rifle Range Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. Jimmy was born December 13, 1921 in Kiln, Mississippi, son of the late Fitzhugh Lee and the late Bonnie Lenoir Lee. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Louisiana Tech University, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate from the University in 1975. Jimmy began his 44 year career with Gulf Oil Corporation in 1942 at the Port Arthur, TX refinery. He married Kathleen in 1943, and began 73 years of life together. His career took him around the globe - Pt. Arthur to Philadelphia, to Washington D.C., to Manila, Philippine Islands, to Tokyo, Japan, to Kuwait, to London, and then in 1972 to Gulf headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA. He became President of Gulf Oil in 1973, and was elected Chairman and CEO on December 1, 1981, and retired December 31, 1986. His deeply held Christian beliefs were the foundation for all his endeavors, whether in work, family, or civic affairs. While in Manila, he was touched by the needs of impoverished children, and became involved with the efforts of World Vision International. He remained active with World Vision, eventually joining the Board of Directors for 17 years. He was also an active church member in every community in which he lived. He was a Board member and Past Chair of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, a Board member of the West Penn Hospital, Shady Side Academy, the Pittsburgh Symphony, and the Board of Governors of Rolling Rock Club. Music was an integral part of his life, from his mother's side at her piano in Mississippi to his last music practice this March with the Franke Chorus in Mt. Pleasant. His family and friends will always remember his humming, singing, and impromptu hymn choruses. He also spent many happy hours in the outdoors, fishing and bird hunting, and formed deep friendships with many fellow outdoorsman. He and Kathleen are members of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC. He is survived by four children, Kay Elizabeth Strickland (Bob), Janet L. Havens, Douglas Bennett Lee, James Stephen Lee (Sharon); 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Ruthie; and siblings Doug, Frank, Joyce, Bob and Marilyn. Memorials may be made to World Vision International, P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston