Michael Bruce Lee

Michael Bruce Lee, age 69, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family and dear friends.

Michael is survived by his bride of 41 years, Diane Lee; his son, Taylor Lee; daughter-in-law, Alexis Reddish Lee; and his beloved grandchildren, Emery and Elliot. He is also survived by his brothers, Dan (Cheri) Lee and Tom Lee; his nieces, Anita and Debbie; his nephew, Darrin; and many extended family members whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sandy and Muriel Lee.

Michael had a gift for genuine kindness and connection, blessing him with a lifetime of deep friendships. He loved playing pranks, mowing with his John Deere, telling the worst dad jokes that somehow always made us laugh, smoking cigars when UT beat Bama while playing golf, which he did as often as possible. He loved betting one hundred - pennies that is – a hole when he played with his friend “Sea Ray Bob”. The winner always relished the victory and collecting a dollar or two at the end of the round. He especially enjoyed making bowl picks with Taylor and writing checks that were never cashed when he lost. He took Taylor to as many UT games as possible, always holding a sign reading "need two tickets for father and son,” memories of a lifetime. Once, when a work photo appeared in the newspaper, Michael jokingly told a young reporter he was Woody Hayes—and it was printed in the News Sentinel. So many great stories of a life well lived.

Michael grew up in Monroe, South Dakota, in a close-knit community where the love from his family shaped his strong values, friendships, and lifelong love of sports. At Parker High School, he excelled in football, basketball, and track. He has held the school shot put record of 54’11” since 1974. At the South Dakota State Track Meet, his discus throw of 169’4” set the all-time Class B state record, which stood for 29 years until 2003. In the fall of 1973, Michael was selected All-State in football.

Michael attended the University of South Dakota on a track scholarship, but his true passion was football. He walked on to the football team in the fall of 1974 and became a four-year letterman and First Team All-Conference selection. Until his junior year, he competed in both football and track. The USD Coyote Brotherhood reunions in Vermillion remained especially meaningful to him, where friendships and bonds were never broken. His reputation for bringing Tennessee Moonshine was legendary, and his ability to recall the smallest details of his games and plays—going all the way back to Parker High School—was remarkable.

While living in Dallas, Michael met his bride Diane and married in 1984. He was deeply in love with her, and she loved him deeply too. They later settled in the West Knoxville Bluegrass community, a wonderful place to raise their family and form lifelong friendships. After retiring from Ecolab, they found their home in Tellico Village—across from the golf course where they always wanted to be.

Throughout his illness, Michael’s family witnessed the extraordinary impact he had on those around him. Even in the difficult moments, his kindness, wit, and deep appreciation for friendship remained strong. His devotion to his family, lifelong friends, teammates, and his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, were evident to all.

Michael often reminded those he loved to leave nothing unsaid, love deeply, cherish relationships, create a bucket list, and live life to the fullest. He completed two bucket lists and was working on his third. His ultimate goal was to attend the family reunion between the U.S. and Norwegian family in June, which seemed impossible—but they made it. It will always be a cherished memory, visiting the homestead and connecting with new family. Though our hearts are broken, he showed us how to live with strength, dignity, gratitude, and humor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to a charity of choice or by doing something kind for someone else—just as Michael would have.

Celebration of Life a memorial service will be at 2:00pm on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Grace Lutheran Church in Parker, South Dakota.  Family will be present at the church from 1-1:45pm.        *Will postpone only if weather prohibits travel from TN

Services in Knoxville, Tennessee will be at 2:00pm Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Faith Lutheran Church, Farragut, Tennessee with family present from 1-1:45pm.  

In honor of Michael’s lifelong love for the University of South Dakota Coyotes, guests are encouraged to wear something RED