John Patrick Lee died Sunday morning, Oct. 2, 2011 at River Region Medical Center following a tragic motorcycle accident. John was 61.

A lifelong resident of Vicksburg, John Lee, born Aug. 3, 1950, was the oldest of five sons born to Lenna Lee and the late Johnnie Lee.

John Lee joined the U.S. Army in 1967 during his junior year at Jett High School. He served as a sniper in the 82nd Airborne Division and attained the rank of sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1970.

John Lee was a general contractor and owner of The Lee Group. He also was a lifelong and active member of Highland Baptist Church. He served as a Sunday School teacher for 10 years.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman. His father introduced him to hunting at the young age of 3.

John especially enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with his wife and children.

John Lee is survived by his wife of 17 years, Anne Ellsworth Lee of Vicksburg; four brothers, Jimmy Lee, Philip Lee, Jason Lee, Stanley Lee and wife Debra Lee, all of Vicksburg; sons John Matthew “Matt” Lee and wife Donna Lee and Mark Ellis Lee, both of Vicksburg; daughters Lauren Brooke Lee (15) and Autumn Claire Lee (12) of Vicksburg; his mother Lenna Lee of Vicksburg; grandchildren Haley Lee (14), Hunter Lee (10) and Ty Lee (1); and step-granddaughter Brianna Daughtry (10).

Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, from 2 until 4 p.m. in Highland Baptist Church Sanctuary. Funeral services with Pastor Brian Ivey officiating, will immediately follow the visitation. Burial will be at Greenlawn Gardens in Vicksburg.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Antoine, Ben Hand, Buddy Hanks, Ted Holman, Ray Jones, Eddie King, Neal Lewis, David McDonald, Tim Sumrall and Billy Vinson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Eddie Buckner, Tac Caruthers, Tom Caruthers, Charlie Lee, Trey Logue, Wayne Logue, Jed Mihalyka, J. W. Mullen, Johnny Oldenburg, C.A. Smith, Jessie Thomas, Charles Toney and Dr. Jody Wilson.

The family requests that contributions be made to the John Lee benefit account at any BancorpSouth branch in lieu of flowers.