Joseph J. Lee

Joe Lee went to be with his Lord, Savior and trusted friend, Jesus on November 28, 2017. Joseph John Lee was born in Los Angeles, California on July 27, 1934, the only child of Joseph William Lee and Lillian (Halberg) Lee. He graduated from Vista High School in 1952 and from California State Polytechnic University in 1957 having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, with a major in Crop Production and Agronomy. Joe's love of the outdoors came from working many summers on his uncle's ranch in northern California, where he often served as a camping and hunting guide. He later worked as a ranch hand on one of California's largest cattle ranches before beginning his career in agriculture, which took him to stops in Arizona, Texas, California, Washington, Oklahoma and Canada. Joe married his great love, the former D Patricia Smith in 1962. Their move to Tulsa in 1976 to work as Vice President of Domestic Sales for Agrico Chemical, part of The Williams Companies, was a true homecoming. For the rest of his life, Joe considered Tulsa home. After serving as president of Agrico Canada for a year, Joe returned to Tulsa. He and a partner completed the first leveraged buyout in the agriculture industry in 1983 when they purchased Agrico's Retail Division and launched Crop Production Services. As president and CEO, Joe oversaw a rapid expansion of the company into a national leader in increasing yields and promoting good farming practices. He was also able to fulfill his passion by mentoring and investing in the lives of young executives, many of whom went on to very successful careers of their own. Joe remained at Crop Production Services until 1995, after the company had been sold to a Canadian firm. Joe is survived by his wife Pat, two sons, Joseph Todd Lee and wife Alyce of Dallas, Texas, and James Michael Lee of Bellingham, Washington, and five grandchildren, Austin, Andrew, Peter, Mackenzie and Colin. Joe once wrote, "My career has been beyond my wildest dreams, my family is my greatest pride, and Jesus is my completion." After his retirement Joe enjoyed spending time on his ranch Regalo de Dios (Gift of God) in Colorado where the family summered for many years. His hobbies included photography, sailing, golf, fly fishing, team roping and "playing cowboy." He served on numerous boards, including the Pacific Northwest Plant Food Association, the Inland Empire Fertilizer Dealers Association, which he also served as president, the Canadian Fertilizer Institute and the California Fertilizer Association. Joe had been a member of First United Methodist Church in Tulsa since 1986. He considered his fourteen years of service on the Board of Trustees of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky to be one of the most significant and meaningful accomplishments of his life. He chaired both the Investment and Finance Committees, helping ensure a sound financial foundation for this institution that trains future leaders for the church. The memorial service will be 2:00pm, Monday, December 4, 2017 at First United Methodist Church, Tulsa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lee Scholarship Fund at Asbury Theological Seminary, 204 N. Lexington Ave., Wilmore, KY 40390 or to the First United Methodist Church, 1115 S. Boulder Ave, Tulsa, OK 74119. Moore's Southlawn 918-6663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com

Joseph J. Lee

July 27, 1934 - November 28, 2017