Dr. James L. Lee age 77 of Springfield went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, January 20, 2017. He was regarded by all who knew him as a caring and compassionate Christian who had a heart for serving others. Jim was born in Piggott, Arkansas on September 5, 1939 to Rev. James Russell and Albertine (Penny) Lee, spending most of his childhood in Saint Louis, Missouri. He graduated high school in Hammond, Indiana, and he attended Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana where he met the love of his life, Joanna Gough. They were married on August 5, 1961. Jim graduated from Indiana University Dental School in 1965, and had always remained an avid IU Hoosier basketball fan. He joined the Army in 1966, and remained in the Reserves after moving to and opening his dental practice in Ash Grove and Springfield, Missouri. He retired from the Army as a colonel in 1994; an accomplishment of which he was most proud, and he retired from dentistry in 2013.

Jim was an active member of LifeQuest Church in Springfield, Missouri, where he served in many capacities. He especially loved working in the bus ministry and in the children's program.

Jim was a great husband, loving father, and proud grandfather.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother Russell Lee.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joanna Lee; daughter, Debbie Smith and her husband, Scott Smith; daughter Jana Buffington and her husband Jason Buffington; grandson, Brandon Smith and his wife McKenzie Smith; grandson, Tyler Smith; and granddaughter, Lauren Buffington.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and compassionate nurses at Cox South for the care they provided to Jim the last week of his life.

Visitation will be Monday, January 23, 2017, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 24, at Gorman-Scharpf, with the Reverend Rick Herald officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Springfield, with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to LifeQuest Church, at 720 East Norton Road, Springfield, Missouri, 65803.