Tom Lee
January 7, 1949 ~ March 13, 2021
Age 72 of Forest Lake. Loving husband, dad, grandpa & brother, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 13, 2021 after a struggle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Tom grew up in Northeast Minneapolis, graduating from Edison High School in 1966, University of Minnesota in 1977 and went on to have a 31-year career with the MN State Patrol. Tom loved his job as a State Trooper because he loved to help people.
Beyond his family and career, Tom love to golf, bowl, sing and travel. He was a coach and mentor to his daughters, their friends and his grandkids. He had a natural gift of making people laugh and smile. He will be missed by many.
Preceded in death by parents, Harold & Della. Survived by loving wife of 45 years, Jo; daughters, Danielle (Rob) Bleymeyer, Jessica (Drew) McPhail; grandchildren, Connor, Reed, Zander, Piper, Sawyer; sisters, Sue (Steve) Brown, Bobbie (Doug) Meyenburg; many nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.
Visitation 5-8 PM Monday, June 21st at Roberts Family Funeral Home. A celebration of Tom's life will be at 11 AM Tuesday, June 22nd at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 N. Shore Dr., Forest Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Brain Support Network.
As a very young Wyoming Police Officer I had an event right after work and when I got off-duty, I raced back to the PD to change out of my uniform. I found out many months later that practical jokers Tom Lee & Bruce Carlson stapled shut the cuffs of my jeans as I’m hopping around in a small closet trying to get my leg through to put them on and then I found they packed very tightly the sleeves of my leather jacket with crumpled up newspaper and packed very tight. It took me so long to get dressed, I just went home. Another instance, Tom just cleared a hit and run crash in Lindstrom and took off a license plate of a dispatchers car in the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Office and brought it inside and said this was what the suspect vehicle left behind. She recognized it as her plate number and ran out to see if her vehicle had been stolen. She found a Troopers squad next to her car. When she ran out Tom began laughing hysterically. He made working fun. I will always great memories of Tom!!
I knew Tom from my time at Gross Golf Course. Tom’s last year working at Gross was my 1st year there (we worked for Fred Herrmann). Tom & Craig Waryan taught me how to mop the locker rooms … (funny the things you remember). Tom spent a lot of time at Gross GC playing and working there. He was one of the better players there known particularly for his excellent ‘short game.’ I remember one stretch where he won the Club Championship 3 yrs in a row, and did that when Gross had many good players (it was always Special if you won that tournament.) Then Tom got married (to a wonderful person) had a family and worked as a MN highway patrolman. In retirement he played a lot of golf w his good friend Doug Perlick (at Tanners Brook & Afton Ridge). We’ll miss Tom for his friendship and his kindred spirit. Condolences to Jo and family. – steve/suzie walters
Doug Perlick, March 24th — I will miss his company on the golf course and the discourse as the game continues. Tom was undoubtedly the world’s greatest at hitting a tree his ball rebounding into the fairway – especially at Wapicada Golf Course. Good times – lots of memories. You will be missed, Tom.
Tom was my partner in the 4450 station. I enjoyed working with him. We had each other’s back. Sympathy to the family. Rick Radl SP 362 (retired)
For Jo and Tom’s entire family, we are so sad to hear of his passing. I got to know Tommy well when we were both on the Gov’s detail together. He was assigned to “Jade” and he was very patient and caring with her. Tommy, you were way too young to have this happen to you. Rest in Peace. John & Maureen Dennig (Ret SP59)
Sympathies to the Lee Family
Tom was assigned to the State Patrol Training Academy in 1979 when I went there. He was a good instructor, and as I got to know him better over the years in our different assignments, I quickly learned that he was a gentleman, and was someone you could always count on. The world is a better place because of him. My sympathy to his family, it is a shame that you lost him so early. Jay Swanson MN State Patrol (retired)
I got to know Tom working and playing at Tanners Brook golf course. What a joy he was, always that great smile and so engaging. Tom was a wealth of knowledge about the game of golf. I asked him more than a few times of some of the rules of golf as I was beginning my coaching. We will all miss you, Dan Forsythe
Such a wonderful man, coach and family! He will be missed🙏🏼
Dani, Jess, Jo, and all .. sending you the biggest hugs. Tom was such a great guy and really made a difference to me as a kid. I was lucky to know him. I’m so sorry for your loss. Wrapping you each in prayers.
Sent with love and remembrance,
Sorry for your loss, it was great working with Tom, I can hear him calling now .. SP462 St Paul Bruce J Ness Retired Radio Communications