LEE, James Kenyard (KEN)- son of Evelyn S. Lee andthe late James Vester Leeof McKenzie, Alabama, diedpeacefully at his home atage 69 in Millbrook Alabama,after a long and courageousbattle with cancer, on Friday,April 24, 2009. Ken was a truehumanitarian and an environmentalist at heart, workingfor such causes as humanrights, and a strong and safeenvironment. He was an endlessly curious broadly educated man who loved demanding intellectual challenges.He studied at such diverse institutions as the University ofMaryland, Alabama Stateand the Kennedy School ofGovernment at Harvard. Hehad a strong sense of humorand greatly enjoyed life andpeople. He never met astranger, and was kind, respecting, admiring and sociable with people regardlessof their age or station in life.He was always willing to helpand give to others in need. Atage 17 he was accepted intothe Naval Academy at Annapolis, but decided to pursue his love of travel and writing. He became a Journalistin the Navy and served as theAdmiral's Journalist on theUSS Des Moines, the Flag Shipof the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. During his tour ofduty, he interviewed PresidentEisenhower and covered thefirst film festival in Cannes,France, meeting Grace Kellyand Sophia Loren.His life and work were very diverse. He worked for the Federal and Alabama State governments, sponsored foreignvisitors, organized and touredwith a German soccer teamthrough the southeast, was inthe foreign car import business, was active as a homebuilder developer and set upthe first energy fair in Montgomery, AL. His fondest memories were of his four yearpresidential appointment asthe representative of the Labor Department to travel toall the military stations in Europe the Middle East and Africa. He published severalbooks and magazines, including ""McKenzie People"",his favorite account of the history of the people he loved inhis hometown. One of hisprojects included building apioneer village, which included a covered bridge,gristmill, log cabin and chapel. The covered bridge,which he christened ""Mother'sBridge"", has been featured ina book, news articles andmagazines. The prayer chapel in particular brought himgreat comfort and peaceduring his illness - and remains as a proud legacy tohis beloved family and God.An avid reader, he cherishedbooks on history, biographyand nature. He joyfully tutored environmental studentsfor many years. Most of all heloved his family and the timeshe spent with them.Ken was preceded in deathby his beloved sister JackieCasey. He is survived by hiswife of 37 years, Brigitte KilgLee; daughter Jo Maria (Anders) Lee-Lindstrom; sonJames Anders Sean Lee (Ulrike); grandchildren, MiriaLee and Fox Lindstrom; beloved mother Evelyn Lee; sisters Jerita Braun, Judy (Steve)Stark, JoAnn (Jimmy) Lawrence, Janet (Frank) Lanier,Lena Lee and loving niecesand nephews; aunts and uncles and countless goodfriends. We love him and misshim but he will never be forgotten.Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home in Georgiana, AL on Tuesday, April28, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00p.m. Funeral services will beat the Sweet Home Baptistchurch in McKenzie, AL.Wednesday April 29, 2009 at11:00 a.m. followed by Graveside services. A CommunityMemorial Service will be heldat 4:00 p.m. Saturday at theCovered Bridge Chapel inMillbrook, AL. Willow TreeDrive.We wish to thank Dr. StephenDavidson, and nurse Terri, Leslie, Donna and all the wonderful medical team at theMontgomery Cancer Centerwe came to know and love inhelping us through this difficult journey. In lieu of flowersmemorial contributions maybe made to the MontgomeryCancer Center