James Patrick Lee

James Patrick Lee, born May 12, 1926 in the sawmill community of Wiergate, Texas to Joseph Lee and Elma Mattox Lee died in Houston on May 13, 2008. The son of a master sawyer and school teacher, Jim (affectionately called Jim Pat as a young boy) was surrounded by a close and loving extended family where he learned values that formed the basis of a life dedicated to faith, family, compassion and hard work. Jim earned every available merit badge as a Boy Scout and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Burkeville High School in 1942 and was quarterback of the school's football team. Later in his youth the family moved to Newton, TX which he always called home. Mr. Lee attended the University of Texas in the Plan 2 program from 1942-1944. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1944-1946. Following service to his country, he completed his undergraduate degree and attended the University of Texas School of Law where he was a member of the Law Review, graduating in 1950. He practiced law with Baker & Botts LLP for his entire career beginning in 1950 and was named a partner in 1963. Originally in the oil and gas section of the firm, Houston's spectacular growth and the birth of the modern commercial real estate development industry led Jim to specialize in real estate law. Over the course of his productive career, Mr. Lee was involved in many projects that today define Houston's metropolitan landscape, including the Galleria and a multitude of major office towers locally and nationally. Colleagues and clients were amazed by his ability to record conversations and complex negotiations using his talent of Gregg shorthand. Jim always took a particular interest in advancing the careers of young interns and associate lawyers with the firm. Jim and his family spent many long summers at their escape on Rainy Lake in Ontario, Canada. Despite physical limitations from an automobile accident as a young man, he loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, canoeing and taking long hikes with the family in the Canadian woods. He also had a special love of Aspen, CO and Horseshoe Bay, TX and owned residences in both locations during his retirement. Family friends will also treasure memories of Jim on many duck hunting trips to Rockport, TX. A self styled old photo buff, Jim considers his efforts to save the Bob Bailey Photographic Archive his greatest accomplishment. The Bailey collection chronicled a wide variety of life in Houston during the period 1929-1998. Understanding the irreplaceable value of the portfolio and fearing its permanent loss, Mr. Lee created the Houston Photographic and Architectural Foundation Trust. Mr. Lee, through the foundation, acquired approximately 500,000 negatives and photos and donated the entire inventory to the University of Texas Center for American History and the Heritage Society of Houston where they will be preserved for posterity. For his efforts, the City of Houston named May 12, 2007 James Lee day. Jim was universally known for his patience, kindness and generosity. Family and friends sought his counsel on a variety of life issues. All will fondly remember his slow and calming manner of speech that would leave one almost begging for the next thoughtful word. His sense of humor and absence of pretence made him loved by all who were fortunate to know him well, young and old. Mr. Lee is survived by his wife of forty eight years Margaret Joy Nissen Lee; son David J. Lee and wife Carrie, and daughter Martha Lee Clanton and husband John; grandchildren Mary Caroline, James, Malissa, William, Kristen, Caleb, Jacob and Sarah. He is also survived by his sister Joanna Brown and her husband Charles. The family would like to thank Mr. Lee's friends and caregivers Abraham, Roslyn, Mercedes, Astrid, Nora and Mario. A memorial service will be held at one o'clock in the afternoon Monday May 19, 2008 at St. Francis Episcopal Church located at 345 Piney Point Road, Houston, TX 77024. Rev Stuart Bates officiating. Honorary pallbearers are David Lee, John Clanton, Frank Wozencraft, Jr., Rob Hargis, Robert Wells, James Ulmer, Charles Szalkowski, John Murray, Ken Minter and Abraham Chavez. If desired, a donation in Jim Lee's name may be made to St. Francis Episcopal Church or the Depelchin Children's Center, Main Campus, 4950 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77007, or to the charity of your choice.