Paul Thomas Lee

Paul T. Lee

Paul Thomas Lee was born in Atlanta, GA on January 17, 1950, the third son of Charles and Dorothy Lee. While Paul was still a toddler the family moved from their North Avenue home to a brand-new development in DeKalb County on a street called Merry Lane. There the family would eventually grow to five children – three boys and two girls.
As a child, Paul loved the outdoors, exploring nature and collecting “treasures.” Scouting was always a big part of his life moving through cub scouts all the way to Eagle. As an adult, he became a scout master and spent as much time as possible taking his troop hiking, camping, canoeing, and outdoor adventuring! He enjoyed spending time at various scout camps including Bert Adams near Covington GA, and the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
In addition to scouting Paul worked for many years at REI and Galyan’s Trading Company, moving from stores in Atlanta to Dallas and Philadelphia before eventually returning to GA and settling in Tucker. While in Philadelphia Paul discovered what would become the loves of his later adult years: antique clocks, and family genealogy. His home in Tucker is filled with clocks and endless records of ancestors, possible ancestors, and potentially unknown branches of the family.

Throughout his life, though, Paul’s first love has always been the family’s lake house on Jackson Lake. Purchased decades ago, the house was originally a fishing cabin with four rooms, a partially dugout basement, a screened porch, and an outhouse. In Paul’s later years he spent every free moment turning the house into a home place which eventually included four bedrooms, three baths, three fireplaces, a game room downstairs and a great room upstairs overlooking the lake. Never one to ask for help, he did almost all of the work by himself. Paul was never happier than when he was at the lake building something or planning further renovations. But his happiest moments were probably when his siblings and their families would join him there to enjoy the fruits of his labors (and help out with his latest plans!).
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the early 2ooo’s, Paul spent the last years of his life fighting not to succumb to the disease. In May 2018, he reluctantly agreed to have deep brain stimulus surgery in an attempt to help stabilize the severe dyskinesia which was affecting his ability to move. While the procedure was successful, Paul had a stroke the next day which left him partially paralyzed and unable to communicate coherently. This began an almost two-year struggle with physical and mental decline. He died on Thursday, February 6, 2020.
Paul lived life on his own terms. Each day was an adventure to him, a new chance to learn something new, expand his knowledge, or test his abilities. Fiercely independent, he loved being able to come and go as he pleased and do what he wanted how and when he wanted. But he also loved being with family and friends. Whether he was leading a scout trip, hosting a family gathering at his home in Tucker or at the lake, or searching the internet for long lost relations, Paul made deep and lasting connections. He was dearly loved and will be missed. Those of us who love him are thankful for a life well lived and thankful that after these last difficult years he has found rest and peace.