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John R. Lee Sr.

FUNERAL HOME

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.

New Orleans, Louisiana

John Lee Obituary

John R. Lee Sr. passed away in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon, January 8, 2017, at the age of 68. Proud and loving father of five children; John R. Lee, Jr., Jennifer Urban, Elizabeth Holman, Katherine Lee, and Michelle Lee; beloved grandfather of five; Wyatt Holman, John R. Lee III (Jack), Max Urban, Emilia Holman and James Lee; and brother to Alfred O. (Terry) Lee III, Craig S. Lee, Bryan Scott Lee, and the late Keith D. Lee. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island on October 17, 1948, and later moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to attend college and graduate school. It was in Pittsburgh where he started his family and career in the Steel Industry. He quickly rose through the ranks within the industry, from climbing into the blast furnaces to engineering new facilities across the country. Shortly thereafter, John relocated his family to Chicago, Illinois. His engineering success then took him to Chevron in New Orleans, Louisiana where John settled and called home. John was driven to make the world a better place, and he knew that he needed to start with children. With a desire to do more, and a true entrepreneurial spirit, John founded I Can Learn Educational Systems to help students who struggled in math. While leading I Can Learn for over 20 years, John provided children of all socioeconomic statuses and ability levels with a powerful learning tool proven to improve their success in school. John was passionate about his work, helping others, sailing, studying his family history and traveling, but most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends and teaching his children and grandchildren about their heritage. He was a hero to his family, the children he helped with I Can Learn and to many others. As a recipient of the Carnegie Medal from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission for saving Mrs. Thelma Davis from her burning home when firefighters could not locate her, and a local hero recognized by neighbors and national news networks for saving the body of Ms. Vera (Elvira Briones Smith), a hit and run victim on the streets of New Orleans during the chaos of Hurricane Katrina, his bravery and selflessness is a true loss. He lived and loved with tireless enthusiasm and positivity and will be terribly missed by all. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Visitation beginning 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 13, 2017, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans. A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2017, at St. Theresa of Avila, 1404 Erato Street in New Orleans. To sign and view the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The New Orleans Advocate from Jan. 10 to Jan. 13, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for John Lee

29 Entries

Jeff Hildebrandt

May 15, 2017

Thank you John for providing the opportunity to join you in our combined passion for math education.

Sharon Klumpp

February 5, 2017

I find it one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life, is to be writing here. John was for a very short while the most fascinating man I have ever met. He was perfect in every way. His intellect, manner, composure, compassion, sincerity, and most of all, his love, was beyond compare. To his children and grandchildren, I send my deepest sympathy, and also to his brothers. Oh, he talked highly of you all, all the time. God has a plan for all of us, this much we know, but when He needs us, is unknown. God needed John for something special, this we have to accept. May peace be with his family, friends, and staff, and as he so often quoted from 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13: "Faith, Hope, and Charity, these three, but the greatest of these is Love". Rest in peace, sweet John. Always.

Lynne Mirando

February 5, 2017

Cousin John. .you not being here on earth to call and just chat, or sending our family tree info back and forth, sharing that because of aunt mary, well my heart still hurts with your trip to heaven but I know there's an Irish pub there and family still lives on...you raised beautiful kids and changed many lives..peace to you John xxoo. Cousin lynne

January 19, 2017

John and I were friends for almost 30 years and our birthdays were 4 days apart. Hence, we called each other every birthday and sang a not-very-melodious version of "happy birthday" to each other. We will miss his dry sense of humor, enthusiastic approach to every aspect of life, and the children of America will unknowingly miss his educational acumen. Untold thousands of young people have been the beneficiaries of John's legacy program (I CAN Learn). My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues... -Alan D. Morgan

Micheal Ziants

January 17, 2017

Today, I have a hole in my soul. John & I worked shoulder-to-shoulder across a quarter century creating I CAN Learn, in an effort to uplift America's youth and lead them to STEM degrees and a better life. On top of that, he was my truest & closest friend, confidant & running partner.

We saw each other through good times & bad, raising kids and keeping our respective feet on the righteous path. It has been said that one good friend is worth a hundred psychiatrists. John was that one friend. I will miss his presence & laughter to my last breath. Godspeed, John Lee, Godspeed.

~ Micheal G. Ziants @ Airlift Productions, New Orleans

Priscilla Duffy

January 13, 2017

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, and I am hopeful that the good memories you shared together will bring you comfort.

Commodore Cary Trapani BWYC '12,'13

January 13, 2017

To John's family.
I enjoyed sailing with John and for John. He was a true yatchsman.
Only with is help could The Bay-Waveland Yatch Club compete in the Gulf Yatching Asdociation Challenge Cup two years in a row. (2013 & 2014)
I'm enriched and blessed to have known him!!!
God Bless is Soul! He helped so many!
John Lee + (x) = blessings

Mary Donahue

Sent Flowers

Ruane

January 12, 2017

John, Jenny and Elizabeth, we are so very sorry to hear about your loss, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs!!!!!
The Ruanes

Molly Zamora L'Hoste

January 12, 2017

Deeply grieved to see our dear neighbor pass. He always shared his smile and would ask, truly and genuinely ask how your life was. He wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty in that way. He loved all people.
We will be praying for his family.
Sail on Mr. Lee

Gail Wickham

January 12, 2017

Tom and I are so sorry to hear this. Our condolences to your family. We will keep your family in our prayers.

Misty Cook-Hagstrom

January 12, 2017

So sorry for the loss. Sending much love and support to John (Jr.) and his entire family and many friends during this difficult time.

The FTD Faithful Blessings Bouquet VASE INCLUDED

a loved one

Sent Flowers

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Lawrence Robinson

January 12, 2017

I'll never forget that day at Delmonico's that John offered me a full time job as his human resource director for JRL--I was so excited and happy. We worked together for 7 years, and oh, he treated me with so much respect. What a great boss he was! John, you will be in my daily masses and prayers that our Lord will hold you in the palm of his hand. And to his family, I will pray that God will give each of you the strength to accept His will at this sad hour. In Deepest Sympathy, Lawrence Robinson, HR Director, JRL

January 12, 2017

All of us at the Round Table Club send our thoughts and prayers. John will be missed. We are here for you if you need anything.

Lamar Billups

January 12, 2017

Katherine and Michelle, I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Jesse Lee

January 12, 2017

My Uncle John had a love of guns and the second amendment that was second only to his love if family and country. His hard work provided for his family and enriched his community as well as those around him. John understood the value of retelling history and the vital importance of never forgetting the events that came before. I am grateful to have spent some of his last few days with him while he stayed in our home. I take comfort in the knowledge that he is at peace, he's probably on a stroll with Nanna at this moment. RIP Dear Johnny boy you will be missed.

Kathie Davidson

Sent Flowers

January 11, 2017

Few have graced this earth who've made such a lasting impact on the lives of loved ones, friends and strangers. We will miss our brother and uncle deeply.

Much love,

Scott, Jesse and Hannah

Bryan Lee

Sent Flowers

Hiep Nguyen

January 11, 2017

John, you have positively affected my life and children's lives through your work to help students learn math. It has been a privilege to work for you. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Beth Bryan-Sasnett

January 11, 2017

Loved you dearly.

James Goodloe

January 11, 2017

John's passionate voice for the teaching and learning of mathematics will be missed by the educational community. He truly cared about the children of our country. It was an honor to work and learn from him. People like John are rare and irreplaceable. My prayers are with his family and all the children whose life's he touched in his life's work.

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Lynne Mirando

January 10, 2017

Peace

Lynne Donahue

January 10, 2017

John my dear cousin..I am so heartbroken by your passing I just cannot believe you're gone. I hope you realized how wonderful a man you were here on earth..and that your caring and concern for others will never be forgotten..we will all miss you greatly...xxoo. Cousin Lynne

Janet Jesse Hannah Lee

January 10, 2017

Our.thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Shelby Boltz

January 10, 2017

You will be greatly missed my dear friend. May God take you into His fold and be with your family and friends in this time of need. Know that through your tireless efforts, you have changed the lives of so many children through education. You made a significant difference on this Earth...

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