Beloved Physician, Devoted Family Man, and Pillar of the Seguin Community
Dr. James C. Lee of Seguin, Texas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Monday, June 23, 2025. He was 78. A man of unwavering faith, deep compassion, and quiet strength, Dr. Lee devoted his life to service—through medicine, family, and community.
Born in Houston and raised in Pleasanton, Dr. Lee embraced the values of hard work, honesty, and leadership from a young age. A proud Eagle Scout, he carried those principles throughout his life. In 1977, he moved to Seguin, where he began a 33-year career as a Family Physician, caring for generations of patients with skill, empathy, and dignity. His patients knew him not only as a gifted doctor but as a kind and attentive listener who treated every person with respect.
Dr. Lee helped shape the landscape of medical care in Seguin and Guadalupe County. He founded the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation, served 25 years on the MHMR board, and most recently served as Chairman of the hospital board for the past decade. His leadership and generosity left a lasting legacy in the region’s healthcare systems.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Lee was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and proud Texan. He had a great sense of humor, loved football, baseball, the Texas Longhorns, the Dallas Cowboys, traveling to national parks, and camping, and passed on his appreciation for the outdoors to his children and grandchildren. He was an avid deer hunter and lifelong reader who found joy in quiet moments and deep conversations with loved ones.
Dr. Lee also served his community in many civic roles. He was a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus and a 30-year member of the Seguin Rotary Club. As a former President of the Seguin Chamber of Commerce, he played a key role in local economic development—including efforts that spurred growth and opportunity with the arrival of Walmart to the area.
He gave faithfully and generously to causes close to his heart, including Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation, Guadalupe Valley Hospital, Feed the Poor, and St. James Catholic Church, where he was a longtime member. His life was a reflection of the values he cherished: faith, service, personal integrity, and a deep love for family and community.
Dr. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Ann Lee. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Janice Lee; his daughters: Crystal Baker, Cynthia Franson (Bret), Catherine Fahey (William), and Carol Sobey (Justin); and his ten cherished grandchildren: Alexandra Baker, William Baker, Catarina Caruso, Lauren Fahey, Tate Fahey, Summer Fahey, Trafton Fahey, James Sobey, Harrison Sobey, and Andrew Sobey. He is also survived by his two brothers, Robert Lee and Tom Lee, and by his longtime caregiver, Bonnie Johnson.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary. A Rosary will be held on Friday, June 27th at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church (510 S Camp St, Seguin, Tx), followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., officiated by Father Gregory Nevlud, and facilitated by Tres Hewell Mortuary. A reception will follow from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the KC Hall (1015 S Austin St).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Janice & James C. Lee, MD endowment fund at the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation.
https://grmedfdn.ejoinme.org/donatenow or via mail: 1215 E Court St, Seguin Tx 78155.
You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.