James Arthur Lee

James “Jim” Lee, 85, passed away on Friday, January 9th, in Austin, Texas. Born on June 9, 1940, in Mt. Vernon, New York, Jim grew up on a working farm in Lakewood, New Mexico, alongside his sisters Susan and Linda and his brother Dean. He attended Artesia High School and later Texas Tech University, where he pledged Sigma Chi and graduated in 1962 with a degree in Mathematics and a minor in Physics. Jim married Jean Alexander in 1961, and they welcomed their son, Bradford Mason Lee, the following year. Shortly after, he enrolled in Air Force Training School at Lackland AFB and was later assigned as Commander of Base Communications on Mactan Island in the central Philippines at the start of the Vietnam War. For his service, he received the United States Air Force Commendation Medal. During his time in the Philippines, Jim decided to pursue an MBA and was honorably discharged to attend Harvard Business School. He graduated in 1968 with a focus in Finance and New Enterprise. His entrepreneurial spirit carried him across the world—from New York to Los Angeles, to England, and ultimately to the Middle East. He spent five years in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, where he served as President of Pool Arabia Ltd., an international oil drilling company. It was there that he met Glenda Kenter, and the two later moved to Houston, marrying in 1977. Their children, Montana and Britton, were born in 1982 and 1983. Jim spent many years in Houston working in real estate investment and pursuing a variety of entrepreneurial ventures. He was a long-time member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and deeply valued that community. In his later years, he moved to Central Texas to be closer to his granddaughters, who were truly the apples of his eye. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Britton and Ashley Lee; his daughter and son-in-law, Montana and Ben Hooten; and his beloved granddaughters, Elliott and Margot Hooten. He is also survived by his sister Susan Lee Davis; his sister and brother-in-law, Linda and John O’Black; and his brother, Dean Lee. His nieces, Alexa Haas and Dacia Horn, and nephews, Brandon Lee and Weston O’Black, and several great nieces and nephews also carry his memory forward. Jim leaves behind a legacy of kindness and an unwavering belief in the goodness of people. His optimism was unmatched, and those who loved him hope to carry that spirit with them always. A private celebration of life will be held for family at a later date. “The Vision that you glorify in your mind, the Idea that you enthrone in your heart—this you will build your life by, this you will become.” — James Allen, As a Man Thinketh

James Arthur Lee

June 9, 1940 - January 9, 2026