Timothy R. Lee

Timothy Ray Lee, 70, passed away peacefully on September 30th, 2024, in Wooster, Ohio, surrounded by family. Born on January 2nd, 1954, in Zanesville, Ohio, Tim was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many. As a fun-loving individual, Tim was the life of the party among his friends and a fiercely protective family man.

Tim graduated from Zanesville High School in 1972, playing varsity football as an offensive and defensive starter. He and his best friend Duane Wilson received the nation's first annual Vincent T. Lombardi Award as the top linemen in Southeastern Ohio. The Vincent T. Lombardi Award recognizes outstanding athletic achievements and character, following the example set by NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Lombardi.

He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Economics (BSBA) degree from Defiance College in 1976 on a football scholarship. During his stellar collegiate football career, Tim was the co-captain, earned an Honorable Mention All-HBCC, was named All-District, All-Conference, and All-American, and was one of the leading tacklers in the conference. In 1975, he was invited to play in the 4th Annual College All-Star Football Game, the All-Ohio Shrine Bowl. Tim was later inducted into the Class of 2010 Defiance College Athletic Hall of Fame. He continued his football career post-college with the Washington Redskins in 1976. Unfortunately, he had his NFL aspirations cut short due to knee injuries and made the difficult decision to retire from football that very same year.

Tim’s professional career after football was marked by significant achievements in the beverage industry, where he worked for notable companies such as Vernors, Coca-Cola, Sarasota Beverage, National Distributing Company, Labatt’s USA (22 years), Anheuser Busch, and then later InBev USA. In 1980, Tim was voted Outstanding Young Businessman by the Jaycees and amassed numerous regional and national awards and accolades throughout his professional career. After a distinguished career, he retired in 2015 as a Senior Key Account Manager for InBev USA.

Outside of his professional and athletic endeavors, Tim was a member of the Northern Lights Masonic Lodge #0040 in Maumee, Ohio, and the Scottish Rite Freemasonry Valley of Toledo, where he received his 32nd degree masonic ring alongside his father, Derl Lee. In his free time, Tim enjoyed collecting antiques, watching sports, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid deer hunter and set a regional Ohio record for the largest deer in the area. He cherished time spent with his three sons, two daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren, whom he adored. He loved reminiscing over a cold beer while catching an OSU football game.

Tim is survived by his three sons, Jonathan (Lori) Lee of Wooster, Ohio, Jacob (Katherine) Lee of Chicago, IL, and Christopher Lee of Denver, Colorado, and their mother, Julie Meier-Lee. He leaves behind his greatest loves, his five grandchildren Cora, Maxwell, Vivian, Henry, and Joshua Lee. He also leaves behind his beloved siblings Katrina Lee-Shepherd and Heidi (Eric) McPeak, both of Zanesville, Ohio, and many nieces and nephews he cherished. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William & Cleo Lee, Fredrick & Gladys Coleman, parents Derl & Carmen Lee, nephew Shawn McPeak, and uncle/aunt John & Sis Burns, who were very special to him.

Visitation hours for friends and family will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on October 11th, 2024, at Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Ave, Zanesville, OH 43701, and one hour before the funeral service, which will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12th, 2024. The burial will follow at the Chandlersville Cemetery. Chaplain Tim Patton will perform the services. 

 In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to “1000 Reasons for Hope” for support and research for CTE, the “Dementia Society of America,” or a charity of one’s choice.

Upload your photos of Tim here for the memorial tribute video: https://www.tributeslides.com/up/32972809703512

1,000 Reasons for Hope: https://concussionfoundation.org

• Dementias Society of America: https://www.dementiasociety.org
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