Joseph Milton Lee, 95, a native and longtime resident of Foley, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014.
He was preceded in death by his son, Tommy Lee.
He is survived by his loving family, including his wife of 70 years, Billie Lee; a daughter, Becky (Mark) Smith of Foley; two grandchildren, Tom Lee of Orange Beach and Rick (Katie) Bourne of Greenville; a great-grandchild, Maggie Lee Bourne; two sisters, Eleanor Carpenter of Fairhope and Betty Lee Morris of Mobile; and numerous other family members who all lovingly referred to him simply as “Lee.”
He was a veteran of the United States Navy and served at the end of World War II.
In his professional career, after working as general manager of U.J. Chevrolet in Mobile for 15 years, Mr. Lee returned to his birthplace of Foley where he opened, owned and managed J.M. Lee Chevrolet-Oldsmobile beginning in 1967. His presence as a pillar in the South Baldwin County business community helped shape and develop the area we see today.
He served multiple times as president of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, president of the Foley Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club and Optimist Club, as well as being awarded the Walter M. Vines Free Enterprise Person of the Year, Paul Harris Fellow award, Kiwanian of the Year, Optimist of the Year and the Optimist International Life Membership award.
Mr. Lee served on the Industrial Development Board of Foley for 40 years, including chairman from 1995 to 2013, chairman of the American Cancer Society of Baldwin County, board of directors of Baptist Hospital, member of the Foley Housing Authority and the Alabama Reef Ship Committee, as well as numerous other civic organizations, county and city advisory boards and business development boards.
He acted as a surrogate father and grandfather to some, an uncle and cousin to many, and as a friend and great man to all.
The family will receive friends at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Foley on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014, from 1 until 3 p.m.
Graveside services will follow at Pine Rest Memorial Park in Foley.
Keeping with his belief of helping others, the family has asked that anyone wishing to contribute charitable donations please do so to the Lee Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to help local families during the holidays and times of need due to unforeseen circumstances.
Established in 2011 in memory and honor of Tommy Lee and J.M. Lee, all contributions to the Lee Foundation are tax-deductible. Mail to: The Lee Foundation, P.O. Box 2259, Foley, AL 36536.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Foley.
