James Ollie Lee, 88, of Paris, passed away Sunday, June 6, 2026, at his home. Services with Masonic Rites are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 10th at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Rev. Billy Norris officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 5 – 7 p.m. A private burial will be made at East Post Oak Cemetery.
Ollie, the son of Frank Ollie Lee and Edna Earl Jaynes Lee, was born Nov. 6, 1937, in Red River County, Texas. He graduated from East Lamar High School. His career with the Texas Department of Transportation began in 1958, and he retired in 1992, following 34 years and nine months service. He then began working at Bright-Holland Funeral Home. It was during this time that he attended the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and became a licensed funeral director. He retired from Bright-Holland in 2020.
He was a member of the Rosalie Masonic Lodge # 527 where he was Past Master and currently the chaplain. He was a member of Southside Baptist Church. Ollie had been active with the Singing Men of Texas and had been the music director for nine churches including Springlake Baptist Church, Bogata Baptist Church, Blossom Baptist Church, Immanuel Baptist Church and Clarksville Baptist Church. Ollie sang with The Southernairs for a number of years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Joe Dan Lee, and two sisters, Anita Bowling and Ruth Johnston.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Ruth Evelyn Holmes Lee, whom he married on May 24, 1958, two children, Joe Glynn Lee and wife Charla and Sheri Dianne Gist, three grandchildren, Chad Lee and wife Amanda, Slade Gist, and Sean Gist, three great grandchildren, Cheyenne Lee, Colton Lee, and Sage Lee, and a sister, Ruby Lee along with numerous nieces and nephews and a plethora of friends.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
