James Rush Lee

March 2, 1919 - August 20, 2017 "Jimpa," part of the Greatest Generation and the Lee family patriarch, passed away peacefully in Newport Beach. James was born in Dayton, Ohio, son of Wayne Francis Lee and Helen Bianca Barnhill Lee. Jim had two sisters Kay Lee Saunders and Lucia Lee MacGregor.  He attended Phillips Academy Andover and graduated Yale University class of 1942.   In May 1942, he married Frances Theresa "Terry" Gordon. He was immediately commissioned as Ensign in the United States Navy. He served aboard the U.S.S. Portland CA 33 and was a plank owner of the new U.S.S. Hornet CV 12. During his service in WWII, he earned eight ribbons, including 14 battle stars, plus the President and Navy Unit Citation. He was aboard the Hornet when it was damaged in a storm chronicled by the book Halsey's Typhoon in June 1945. He separated from the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Jim and Terry settled in Palo Alto and Jim received his MBA from Stanford. The family moved to Arcadia in 1957 and raised the seven children on Fallen Leaf Road.    Jim moved to Newport Beach after Terry's passing in 1992.    His business career included Stanford Research Institute (SRI), Broadway Department stores and as a broker at Dean Witter. James was active in his community: President of the Pasadena Rotary and Chamber of Commerce and was on the boards of the Girls Club of Pasadena, Scripps Home and St. Luke's Hospital.   Jim and Terry were avid golfers and longtime members of Annandale Golf Club. He was especially proud of his 2004 hole-in-one at Shady Canyon while playing with daughter, Trish. He also "shot his age" at 72 and again at 80.   Jimpa is survived by his seven children and their spouses, Lucinda Lee (Daniel Smith), Helen (John Shull), Trish (Steve Scarborough), Fran (Mike Gazin), Wayne (Karen), Katie (Bill Lewis), and Harold (Debbie). He loved his 17 grandchildren:  Kat Shull, Scott Shull (Dafne), Jennifer Scarborough (Charles Bui), Jeff Scarborough (Rebecca), Kristin Hoang (Bryan), Annie Reynolds (Morgan), Molly Gazin, Torri Jackson (Jeff), Rob Parker (Sarah), Ashlee Rice (CWO2 Michael), Austin Lee (Marissa), Ben Lewis, Gordon Lewis, Samantha Lee Martinez (Dean), William Lee, Jamie Lee, and Tyler Lee, and he loved his 14 great-grandchildren: Lily, Frances, and Mungo MacNeish, Helen and Anne Scarborough, Ernesto and Maya Shull, Mackenzie and Quinn Hoang, Braelyn Rice, Ford and Rush Reynolds, Coral Parker and Jack Scarborough Bui. The biggest source of pride was his family. The Lee family beach house has been home base for over 43 years. Jimpa was so happy when four generations of Lees rode the same wave to shore.  Please remember our awesome dad by riding a wave and loving your family.  A "Celebration of Life" will be held on Saturday, September 2, in Newport Beach. Please contact the family for details.  On Sunday, September 3, 10:00 a.m., there will be a paddle out  at 34th Street in Newport Beach.   In lieu of flowers please consider donating in his name to Fisher House, providing support to military families (fisherhouse.org).