James Kn Lee

James Lee, age 89, passed away on Saturday, June 17, 2023. He was born in North Korea and briefly lived in Japan before moving to South Korea with his mother, In Ok Lee. James graduated from the prestigious Seoul National University before moving to the United States to attend Michigan Tech (formerly Michigan College of Mining and Technology) where he graduated with 2 engineering degrees. He was introduced to Chung Ja and traveled from Michigan to Illinois to visit her on weekends. They married 56 years ago in Chicago, the day after Christmas and eventually made their way from Michigan to Wisconsin then Tallahassee, FL where they lived for 45 years. He was fluent in Korean, Japanese and English and even mentored an FSU student on a doctorate thesis involving the Japanese language. James worked for Olin Corp (currently General Dynamics) in the St. Marks Powder division. As a senior engineer, he was credited with saving the company millions of dollars in cost-saving innovations. Uninterested in a management role, he turned down countless promotions until the company created his dream position that allowed him to troubleshoot and invent ways to make the gunpowder division run safely and efficiently. He never bragged but was excited to share stories about contraptions he designed to help the factory workers prevent injuries and easily maneuver heavy equipment. Many of these were fondly labeled "Jim Lee" devices. It was at Olin that he met his best friend Jim Kohler. In Tallahassee, James simply couldn't refuse when a friend or neighbor asked him to take a look at something that needed repair. He spent countless hours fixing air conditioners, cars, appliances, etc. without charging a dime. He and his wife became community icons for riding their bikes for hours almost every afternoon after work. If they missed a day, people they didn't know would sometimes pull up beside them the next day and ask where they had been out of concern. James is survived by his loving wife, Chung Ja Lee; his three children Roxanne, Teresa and Matthew and eight cherished grandchildren. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory 770-253-4580

James Kn Lee

November 11, 1933 - June 17, 2023