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John Lee Obituary
Died: May 31, 2023
John Vance Lee, age 78, passed away May 31, 2023 at his home in San Francisco, California. John was born in Princeton, Illinois, the son of Dr. Richard E. Lee and Marie Vance Lee. He was a graduate of Princeton High School in 1963. He was a class officer, a member of the basketball and track teams, and an honor student.
Shortly after graduating from Northwestern University in 1967, John joined the Marine Corps. Lieutenant Lee, a combat engineer, joined his command in Da Nang, South Vietnam in 1968, where he served for only a few months before being seriously wounded by a grenade. He was evacuated back to Great Lakes Naval Hospital for subsequent surgeries.
John married Patricia Williams of Rochelle and DeKalb in August, 1973. The couple settled first in Tucson, Arizona, then moved to San Francisco where John was a writer and Pat is an artist.
John was the brother of Erik Lee of Decatur, Illinois. Princeton-born cousins include Dave and Jim Malsbury, Linda and Doug Vance, and Craig and Jill Vance.
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Memories and Condolences
for John Lee
Fred Lopez, 3rd Platoon TBS 6068
June 25, 2025
Our condolances to John's family from his classmates TBS Class 6-68. He will be forever in our hearts and memories.
Semper Fi Marine.
Peter Eckdahl
May 12, 2025
John, envision you at God’s throne hearing His words “well done good and faithful servant”.
Mike Henneberry
July 31, 2024
All of the fraternity brothers I contacted were very sad to learn of John's passing but were grateful to have seen his obituary and learn of his additional accomplishments post-Northwestern. He was well-liked by everyone in our house.
Mike Henneberry
January 29, 2024
I just read of John's passing in the Northwestern magazine. John and I were fraternity brothers and good friends at Northwestern. Unfortunately, we had not kept up with each other after graduation and I regret that. He was a great guy and fun to be around. I will be sure and inform other fraternity brothers of his death.
Donald R May, MD
July 30, 2023
The notice of the passing of John was just received.
As a fellow Veteran, John's military service to our nation is most appreciated. I do wish the opportunity had been there for us to meet and to visit over the years. The fault is mine for not vigorously pursuing a meeting.
God Bless!
Barbie Swanson Boesch
July 30, 2023
Years pass too quickly.
We will always cherish your friendship
and our school memories from Princeton, Illinois
God bless your family.
Barbie Swanson Boesch
PHS Class of 1963
Paul H. Anderson
July 29, 2023
I was so sorry to hear of John´s passing. I attended Junior & Senior High School with John in Princeton Illinois. Thanks to the family for sharing John´s life experiences. He was a great friend and will be missed! Paul Anderson
Christine Gregory
July 28, 2023
I went to school with John from kindergarten through high school. He was a pretty good athlete if I remember correctly. Have thought about him over the years and wished he could have come to some of our reunions. Rest in peace John.
Chris Stone-Gregory
Princeton Class of "1963"
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