Mass of Christian Burial for James Kittredge Lee, Sr. will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at The Minor Basillica of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches, LA with Fr. John Cunningham officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, LA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on August 29, 2011 at Blanchard - St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA. Rosary Service will follow after the visitation at 7:00 p.m. with Fr. Jason Gootee officiating.
James Lee, Sr., 83 years of age, passed away August 27, 2011. James was born August 9, 1928 in Melrose LA to the late C C Lee and Louise Pollock Martin where he lived in Coulterville LA, then later moved to Natchitoches LA. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School, and then received a Bachelor of Arts Degree and Teacher Certification from Northwestern State University in 1951. He joined the Knights of Columbus in November 1948. In 1962 he was named Grand Knight of the year. He was named District Deputy in 1984 and served until 1988. He was a Charter Member of MSGR. DeKeuwer Assembly Fourth Degree. He served three terms as the First Faithful Navigator which began on August 2, 1986. He worked for the City of Natchitoches as a radio and office manager of the City Police. Upon graduation from Northwestern State University he worked as a city motorcycle officer. He was Chief of Northwestern State Police in which he organized in 1955 and served as Chief until his retirement in 1986. He served as President of Campus Police Association, Board of Directors for International Campus Police Association, and past President of State University Police Officers Association. He served as past member of Boy Scout area Executive Council and was Cub Scout Pack Master and was Vice Chairman of the local Chapter American Red Cross. He also served as Chairman of Natchitoches Parish Playground and Recreation Board. He was President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1958. He organized and helped coach the first Catholic Youth Organization football team at St. Mary’s School in 1965. He was Commander of the local National Guard Unit for 15 years. He was a graduate of U S Army Command and General Staff College. He was a graduate of U S Army Infantry Basic and Career Officer School. He was a United States Military Academy Liaison Officer and a member of the Military Officers of America. He retired as a Lt. Colonel, USAR and was a life member of Retired Officers Association. After retiring from Northwestern State University as Chief of Security, he worked for the Sheriff’s Department as a Bailiff for several years. On September 17, 2005 he was awarded the “Nth Degree” by Northwestern State University. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Jeanette Knipmeyer Lee of Natchitoches, LA: four sons, James Kittredge “Kitt” Lee Jr. and his wife Mary of Ruston, LA, Charles Ellis Lee of Natchitoches, LA, Chris K. Lee and his wife Sherri of Bossier City, LA, and Edd Robert Lee and his wife Linda of Natchitoches, LA; one daughter, Jean McElwee of Natchitoches LA, and ten grandchildren.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are members of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Honorary pallbearers are his sons Kitt Lee, Charles Lee, Chris Lee, and Edd Lee; his grandsons Jason Corley Lee, Brian Joseph Lee, Paul William Lee, David Christopher Lee, and Jonathan Lee McElwee; and grandson-in-law, Doug Atkins.
Warner Lee will be the Altar Server.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, 1105 East 5th St., Natchitoches, Louisiana, 71457.
