Coach James Lee

James Michael Lee (Jamie), born January 24th, 1972, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully in his sleep on the morning of November 2, 2022. He leaves behind a loving wife in Jennifer, and a best friend in his 10-year-old daughter, Grace.

Jamie was the sole provider for his family due to Jennifer's struggle with major health issues over the last 6 years. Any amounts given will be used to help with funeral expenses, essentials during this challenging time especially over the holidays, getting back on their feet, and to establish a higher education fund for Grace.

Jamie was a dedicated husband and father. He loved and served God in many ways, utilizing his unique athletic gifts to achieve so much at a young age, but also to give back to kids through sports in his adulthood. Jamie grew up in Wytheville, a small town in Virginia where he participated in sports from an early age. Jamie excelled early in tennis, golf, baseball and basketball. He would go on to letter in all four sports in High School and was a leader in competition as well as in life for his teammates.

Basketball was Jamie's passion, and his accolades at the high school level are many. Jamie finished his high school career with 1,533 points and was named to the regional first team his senior year. A McDonald's "Micky Ds" All-American candidate, he was awarded a basketball scholarship to Campbell University, where he was a four-year dual sport athlete, also pitching on Campbell's baseball team. Jamie was also an accomplished pitcher in high school and college, eventually being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Of all the accomplishments in his life, the thing he will be remembered for most, is his love of basketball that he shared with those he coached. He taught basketball to children of all ages, but what he gave them was so much more. Jamie's career was coaching elite basketball athletes in the Charleston area for many years. He focused on fundamentals early and pushed each individual to achieve their full potential. Jamie helped numerous players from the Charleston area secure higher education through basketball scholarships at 4-year universities. Jamie transitioned to a career in logistics, to take advantage of the opportunity to earn a quality living for his family. He excelled at his craft, learning enough at Nucor Steel over the years to start his own logistics firm where he operated as an Independent Contractor at the time of his passing. While he loved providing for his family, he yearned to find his way back to the basketball court and to coach again. It was his passion. Jamie volunteered as an I9 basketball coach, where Grace plays. He was at home teaching the game of basketball, but what made Jamie different was his gift for connecting with children to make the sport he loved and achieved so much through, quite simply fun for kids. Jamie was to be the Phillip Simmons 5th-Grade, Girls Basketball Coach this year. We will miss seeing him on the sidelines, where he longed to be.

Jamie's love for basketball lives on through Grace, who made the 5th-Grade Girls Basketball Team this year. While our family in the stands will miss seeing Jamie coach Grace this year, we all know that Jamie would want her to play on. We will continue his legacy, making sure that Grace works hard to achieve her potential and has fun in the place that Jamie loved and gained so much, the basketball court. We hope Grace too will find her place, on the basketball court, in honor of her father.

His Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022, in the King's Cross Church, 2011 Clements Ferry Rd. at 3:00 pm. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant Chapel.