Lee Kessen Jr.

John Lee Kessen Jr., 72, of Fort Thomas, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on March 12, 2025. He was born at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Covington, KY to the late John Lee and Virginia (nee Klaserner) Kessen in 1952. Lee attended grade school at St. Joseph Cold Spring, graduated from Newport Catholic High School, and obtained an Associate's Degree from Cincinnati Technical College. He worked in information technology for the Ohio National Life Insurance Co. and the U.S. Shoe Corporation before serving in his ideal role as the first business manager for St. Joseph Parish, a position he held until his retirement in 2018.
Lee's lifelong devotion to the people of St. Joseph Parish began when he started coaching basketball for the Bluejays at age seventeen, a calling he continued well into his forties. He then transitioned from coaching basketball to supporting the basketball programs of all Catholic Schools in Campbell County by creating and running the Campbell Catholic Jr. League. This change allowed him to continue to be meaningfully involved with youth basketball while freeing up time for him to follow and support the various high school endeavors of his three children.
As a young adult, Lee applied his technical knowledge to learn and operate the soundboard for the St. Joseph Drama Club and the Bishop Brossart senior class play. He later used these technical skills, along with his coaching and business acumen, to support the Newport Central Catholic Drama Department.
Lee loved spending time and attending events with family and friends. He was an ardent supporter of the Kentucky Wildcats, and both the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals. This led to him being a season ticket holder of the Bengals for the past 48 years, many happy memories at the ballpark, and adding season tickets for both UK and NKU Basketball as he neared retirement. He attended several NCAA tournaments, several seasons of the Broadway Series at the Aronoff, and two Super Bowls.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ginny. Lee is survived by his loving wife, Linda Kessen (nee Lankheit), sons, Jeff Kessen and Nick Kessen, daughter, Jenni (Andy) Spenlau, sisters, Lynn (the late Ron) Lankheit, and Lois (Art) Weigold, grandchildren, Coen Holmes, Bannon (Lauren) Seiter, Grace Kessen, Kieran Kessen, Declan Kessen, Samantha Spenlau, and Olivia Spenlau, and great-grandchildren, Hailyn, Valyrie, and Everette Seiter, as well as many in laws, nephews, and nieces, all for whom he cared deeply.
Visitation 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home, (427 S. Ft. Thomas Ave.) Fort Thomas. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 am Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at St. Joseph Church, (4011 Alexandria Pike) Cold Spring, Kentucky. Burial will take place in the St. Joseph Cemetery Cold Spring, Kentucky. Memorials are suggested to the St. Joseph Church 4011 Alexandria Pike Cold Spring, KY 41076, Newport Central Catholic High School 13 Carothers Road Newport, KY 41071, or to Bluegrass Care Navigators 51 Cavalier Blvd Suite 200 Florence, KY 41042. Online condolences can be given at www.dmefuneral.com.