James Lee

James Thomas "Tommy" Lee, 75, of Owensboro, passed away Wednesday, August 18, 2021, under the care of Hospice of W. Kentucky. The Greenwood, Mississippi native was born September 30, 1945, as one of seven children to the late Ralph and Mary Whitfill Lee. James was a graduate of Owensboro High School (class of 1963). He was a selfless man, always helping other and giving of his time. James and his wife were foster parents who cared for and raised 22 foster children. He never met a stranger and had to almost be physically dragged away from a conversation. Tommy had a green thumb and loved gardening and genealogy, researching family history. He worked at NSA which later became Century Aluminum from which he retired.

In addition to his parents, James also was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Connie, in 2020 and four of his six siblings.
Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Kristen Bayless; foster daughters, LeeAnn Barker (Jack) of Owensboro and Paula Lee (James) of Louisville; grandson, Tanner Lee Bayless; foster grandchildren, Zachary Draeger, Katie White (Brent), Joseph Hamilton, John Barker, Derrick Lee, and Kayla Lee; sister, Hazel "Suzie" Morris; brother, Wayne Lee (Debbie) of Durham, N. Carolina; numerous nieces and nephews; and his four-legged friend, Tandy.

The funeral service will be 12:00 Monday with visitation from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Hospice of W. Kentucky, 3419 Wathen's Crossing Owensboro, KY 42301.