James L Lee

James L. Lee, 93, met our Lord on March 30, 2022 at his home in Sun Lakes, Arizona.
Jim was born in 1928 to Ira Lee and Stella Newton in St. Ignatius, Montana which lies beneath the beautiful Mission Mountain Range, also viewed from the National Bison Range. There stands the Jesuit Mission Catholic Church (erected in the early 1890's) with it's impressive Artworks and Murals of scenes from the Old and New Testaments. A few miles north you will be greeted by Flathead Lake, the largest fresh water lake this side of the Great Lakes.
The family of three moved to Missoula, Montana in his Jr. year attending Hellgate High School where he was a varsity member of both the Basketball and Football teams.
Jim married Marie Twitchell in 1950, they were blessed with four children. He coached 7th and 8th grade boys basketball teams at St. Anthony's Catholic school. Also in Missoula, he was a member of the County Sheriff's Mounted Posse.
In 1976 Jim Married Christa Flaherty of Spokane, Washington, in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho and in 1978 moved to Mesa, Arizona.
The love of golf from Missoula Country Club led Jim to the Mesa Country Club where he pioneered the Annual "Pow Wow" Golf tournament in 1990. It continues to be the most popular tournament to date. Jim was privileged to play some popular California golf courses, like, Cyprus Point, Poppy Hills, Pebble Beach and Los Altos Country Club. His one and only HOLE-IN-ONE was in Polson, MT in 1978.
He was an active participant with the Mesa "HO HO KAM" civic organization who sponsors the Chicago Cubs Spring Training and supports many children's charities.
Jim and Christa spent summers in the Northwest which created opportunities for many family gatherings. Jim also enjoyed wonderful vacations from reeling in Sailfish in Mexico, to travels that included Hawaii, Canada, and the Caribbean.
An avid Outdoorsman he enjoyed many hobbies; he earned his twin engine pilots license, excelled at snow skiing, snowmobiling, hunting from horseback, and game bird hunting. A restorer of classic cars, his collection included 5 Ford Thunderbirds, Models 1960 to 1964 and a 1946 Lincoln Continental.
Jim was successful in many businesses including a Gas Appliance and Propane Company, a Union 76 gas station, offices for Lindsey Soft Water Company, co-owned a car wash and started Missoula's first "Pawn Shop and Commodities Brokerage" with partner Bert Nelson.
Land Development was his passion which included 9 Sub-divisions in Missoula. With partner Gordon Sorenson, they developed 80 acres on Flathead Lake, and the Grandview Condominiums; also the first of it's kind in Missoula, they were cherished friends to date.
In Arizona his ventures continued with a Country Music night club and a Southwest Pottery business that created and supplied artistic Giftware to all U.S. State Parks.
At last count Jim and Christa were on their 15th home renovation.
Jim lived an active, long and fulfilling life.
Jim is survived by his spouse, Christa and his children, daughter's Debbie (Rich) Steege of Pinedale, Wyoming, Terry (Don) Kerby of Lenore, Idaho, Beth Leonard of Missoula, Montana, his stepchildren, Shannon Flaherty Leigh of Franklin, Tennessee and Richard Flaherty of Chandler, Arizona, 9 Grand children and 5 Great-grand children and his beloved Shih Tzu, Lexi
Jim is predeceased by his Son, Daniel Lee and grandson, Jason Heinz, and parents, Ira and Stella Lee.

God saw you getting tired, when a cure was not to be.
So he closed his arms around you and whispered
"Come to me"
And when we saw you sleeping so peaceful and free from pain,
we could not wish you back to suffer that again

Farewell, my love, till we meet again, Christa