Obituary of Jerry Lee

Jerry Lawrence Lee, age 62, passed away on May 24, 2014 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born in 1951 to Larry and Alice Lee and was a lifelong Livonia resident. Growing up, Jerry shared an enthusiasm for fishing with his father; Jerry furthered his passion by becoming a United States Coast Guard-licensed charter boat captain several years after graduating from Livonia Stevenson High School in 1970. For more than thirty years, Captain Jerry took anglers fishing for salmon and trout on Lake Michigan as well as for walleye on Lake Erie aboard his vessel the "Sea Screw". Jerry was a well-known member of several sportfishing associations, including the Ludington Area Charter Boat Association and the Michigan Charter Boat Association. He was well-liked and respected by his fellow captains and friends, who affectionately referred to him by his nickname "Scooby". Jerry was also an active member of his local Detroit Area Steelheaders, where he was voted "Skipper of the Year" for three consecutive years in 1978, 1979, and 1980. He won prominent area fishing tournaments in 1978, 1979, and 1981, and made the cover of Great Lakes Sportsman Magazine in the 1980's. He was on the professional staff of Silver Streak fishing lures and a field representative for Lowrance marine electronics. He was accompanied several times on his charters by Great Lakes Outdoors with Rob Trott and Fishing 411 with Mark Romanack. Outside fishing season, Jerry was an avid hunter; he hunted fowl and deer with friends in Michigan, across the United States, and in Mexico and Canada. Jerry also loved to golf. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Lee; his son Ryan Lee; his sister, Leslie Ottino ; Linda's children, whom he loved as his own, Melissa (Chris) Cardoni, Michael (Julie) Tapp, and Jason (Leah) Tapp; five grandchildren, Jacob Ambrose, Madison Cardoni, Nicholas Cardoni, Danielle Tapp, and Emmett Tapp; two nieces, Jessica and Lisa; and numerous close friends. Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at Merkle Funeral Service; 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of His Life will take place at 12:00pm on Thursday, May 29, 2014 also at Merkle's. A memorial luncheon will follow at St. George Cultural Center, 2326 North Monroe Street. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.