James E. Gee

James E. Gee, 88, of Washington, passed away at 9:15 p.m., Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Washington Christian Village. Jim was born on December 1, 1924 in Marshall, Minnesota to Edgar and Gunda Odden Gee. He married Gloria Amdahl on September 10, 1949 in Montevideo, Minnesota, she passed away in 1979. Jim later married Kathleen Early on December 1, 1979 in Morton, she passed away on January 29, 2001. He married Marilyn Rodgers on November 10, 2001 in Washington. Marilyn survives. Among those also surviving are two sons, James L. Gee of Washington and Timothy (Chenny) Gee of Peoria; one daughter, Kimberly (the late Mark) Lee of Washington; one stepson, David (Jenise) Rodgers of Washington; one stepdaughter, Susan Rodgers of Washington and seven grandchildren, Dana, Tyler, Danielle, Margaret, Justin, Collin and Benjamin. Jim was also preceded in death by one sister, Doris. After high school, Jim joined the U. S. Army and served in Korea. He was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Jim was a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he had earned a bachelors degree in agricultural engineering in 1952. He got a job right away with Caterpillar Tractor Company and moved to Washington. With Caterpillar he was a Program Manager for development of new products for mining, forestry and agriculture. Jim did a lot of traveling worldwide in his position with Caterpillar in order to focus on the customer needs. Jim retired from Caterpillar in 1990. In 2007 Jim received the Caterpillar Award of Innovation Award in recognition of his 33 patents while being associated with Caterpillar. During his time with Caterpillar, he initiated a joint venture with the Claas Company of Germany and Caterpillar. Jim continued working with Claas as a consultant until just a few years ago. Jim loved hunting of any kind. His sport took him to the Western States, Alaska, Canada, Africa, Hungary, Germany, Scotland and England. He especially cherished the time hunting with his sons, grandsons, and his friends, Fred Joos and Helmut Claas. He was a member of St. Mark?s Lutheran Church in Washington. Jim?s love of his community and country inspired him to serve as a Republican Precinct Committeeman in Washington as well as a Washington Township Trustee. He was also a member of the NRA Golden Eagles, a life member of the North American Hunting Club, Safari Club International, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Society of Automotive Engineers, Colorado Wildlife Federation, Illinois State Rifle Association, Wyoming Wildlife Association, Ducks Unlimited, Tremont Sportsmen?s Club, Midwest Gun Collectors, Peoria Skeet and Trap Club and the Washington Historical Society. Funeral services for Jim will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Mason-White Funeral Home with Pastor John Bates officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memory Gardens, south of Washington. Visitation for Jim will be on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and half hour prior to services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either OSF Hospice or St. Mark?s Parish Nurse Program.