James Lee Strayhorn, age 93, of Lebanon, born March 9, 1924 in Hoxie, Kans., died Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at Jefferson Barracks Hospice Center, St. Louis, Mo.

Lee grew up in Belle, Mo., and moved with his family to St. Louis as a young man. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a military policeman during World War II, serving in New Guinea, So. Philippines, and Luzon. While serving abroad, he was baptized into the Catholic faith at Espiritu Santos Island in the South Pacific. He worked at the Forum Cafeteria, where he met his one and only love, his co-worker Dorothy Schlattweiler. After the war, he married Dorothy on June 11, 1946 at St. Philip Catholic Church, East St. Louis. Lee worked at the Forum Cafeteria in St. Louis and was Assistant Manager at the Forum Cafeteria in Los Angeles. He was a driver for Keleher Trucking and worked his way up with Munger Linen Service/National Linen Service from a driver to Customer Service Representative to Assistant Manager. He retired from National Linen Service in 1988 after 33 years of service. He also worked for 14 years as the greeter at O'Fallon Wal-Mart. Lee was a longtime faithful parishioner at St. Clare Catholic Church, where he had many friends. He was a life member of Knights of Columbus Council 4239 and was an avid reader. He enjoyed travelling the US with his wife in their camper and especially enjoyed spending time in Laughlin, Nev.

Mr. Strayhorn's family would like to thank the Veterans Administration Medical Center at John Cochran and Jefferson Barracks for all the great care they have provided him for 30+ years. From his primary care, Dr. Rama Bandi, to his Palliative Care, Dr. Loitman, and all the ED doctors & staff, cardiology doctors & staff, and all the nurses & CNAs on 7N. We are especially grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff at Jefferson Barracks, Bldg 53, 1st floor North Hospice Center. They took such loving care of him and made his final days comfortable for him and comforting for the family. God bless all of you. We are eternally grateful.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, parents Frank and Esther, nee Johnson, Strayhorn; his sons Steven and James, Jr.; and his brother Bill.

Surviving are his daughter Judith Lemansky of Lebanon; daughter-in-law Diney Strayhorn of Belleville; grandchildren Jim (Erika) Lemansky, Jr., Lisa (Mike) Mojzis, Kelly (James) Kirk, and Matthew (fiancée Heather Middleton) Strayhorn; his six great-grandchildren David, Carl, and Michael Lemansky; Henry Mojzis, Max and Lillie Kirk; and his brother Leonard (Joy) Strayhorn of Calif.

Memorial donations are suggested to St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Monday, August 14, 2017 at St. Clare Catholic Church, 1411 Cross St., Shiloh, and after 8:30 am, Tuesday, at the church.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 9:30 am, Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at the church, with Rev. James Deiters presiding. Burial with military honors will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.