John Pleasant Lee, residing in the Aurora Nursing Center, passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2009, at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his son, John Jay Lee; his parents, Don and Floy Pleasant (Barris) Lee; and sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Albert Baumgardner. John was born on June 4, 1924, just outside of Verona, on the Lee Farms, a Missouri Century Family Farm. He lived and worked on the farm his entire life and was a 1942 graduate of Verona High School. John met Mary Margaret Sullens in Aurora, Missouri, and they were married on August 3, 1947. In 1974, he opened a real estate firm that specialized in farmland in and around Aurora. In January, 2007, John moved to the Aurora Nursing Center, where he enjoyed the remainder of his life. His heart and mind however, were always with his farm in Verona. John is survived by his wife, Mary Margaret (Sullens) Lee, residing in the Mt. Vernon Veteran's Home; sister Phoebe Phillips and her husband, Harlan; daughter Vicki Fischer and her husband, Pete; daughter-in-law Debbie Lee; grandchildren, Jennifer Lee, John Paul Lee and his wife, Joy, Ryan Fischer and his wife, Vanessa Van Orden, and Maggie Fischer; three great-grandchildren, John Dakota, Jay, and Jacey Lee; sister-in-law Dorothy Atwell; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. A very special thanks to his life long friends, Dale Soutee and Ronnie Garoutte, they spent time with him and took him on many outings after he could no longer drive. Also, thanks to the wonderful staff at the Aurora Nursing Center, who he considered his friends, and to the Hospice Compassus Staff who took special care of him. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2009, in Aurora United Methodist Church, with burial to follow in Lee Cemetery. The visitation will be conducted from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, in the church, prior to the service. Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson's Group of the Ozarks, Hospice Compassus or the charity of your choice, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at www.craftoncantrellfunralhome.com.