James Perry Lee of Trussville, AL, entered heaven on February 29, 2024. Perry, or J.P. as many people knew him, was born in Jefferson County, Alabama on November 25, 1934, as the youngest of 10 children. He lived part of his early childhood in Kentucky with his older brother, Roy Lee. At the age of 12, he came back to Blount County to live with his father and his brother, Olen Lee. He met the love of his life, Betty, at the age of 13. They were married five years later and just celebrated their 70 th anniversary on January 23, 2024. Perry drilled water wells with his father in Blount, surrounding counties and for many existing businesses in downtown Birmingham. He even had the rare talent of being able to “witch” a well. Perry drove a bus for Birmingham Transit. After that he started working for East Lake Auto Sales and retired there after 40+ years. After retiring from car sales, he began to work for P&M Mechanical company. His last employment was with Enterprise Car Rental, delivering cars to different locations in the southeast. He played guitar and sang bass in a bluegrass band called The Country Ramblers. Perry joined Center Point Masonic Lodge No. 872 and Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Zamora) in 1964. He and Betty joined the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 416 in 1972. He served in the United States Army from 1958-1960. He was an avid quail and turkey hunter with his best
friend of 70+ years, Paul Glasscox. Perry, J.P., “Hoss,” was a loving son, brother, husband,
father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He never met a stranger. You knew if he called you
“Hoss” or “Buddy,” he really liked you. He was a man of many talents and will be greatly missed by so many.
Mr. Lee is preceded in death by his parents Virgil Aubin Lee and Aurora Bell (Hughes) Lee; his 9 siblings and their spouses; mother-in-law, Mamie Brand; father-in-law, Denton Brand; brother-in-law, Nelson Brand; brother-in-law, Ronald Brand. He leaves behind his loving wife, Betty (Brand) Lee; daughter, Patricia Lee; granddaughter, Alex Avram; grandson, Rob Avram (Faith Dunn); great granddaughter to be born in March 2024, Daisy Elizabeth Avram; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
