John P. Lee (1933-2011)
Like every hero he had his flaws. He was a procrastinator, stubborn as hell, quick tempered and (more than occasionally) foul-mouthed. He didn't pay enough attention to what the future could be, including the future of his health. And somehow vehicles and money had the same life span around him.
Yet the impact of his life is immeasurable, and the affects of his gifts to the world are ripples of joy, love and happiness that spread through people he's met and even to some who have never met him.
He almost always had a smile on his face. He always had a joke or a funny story to tell. He loved to share his joy for life with others. His dreams included 40-foot yachts, more vacations to Alaska, fishing without a time limit, and grandchildren. To top it off, he was a snazzy dresser and pretty damn handsome!
And he loved his dancing. Doing it, teaching it, watching it, writing about it - it didn't matter, if it had to do with making the body perform beautiful motions, he loved it. He had more rhythm, grace and passion in his little toe than anyone I've ever met, or seen. John's dance poses were so graceful flamingos would cry in envy when they saw him. John's attitude and strut were so smooth and powerful that peacocks would hide in the corner and whimper with jealousy.
John was a trouble maker of a youth. Then, to go somewhere, he joined the Navy. He used to joke about how ironic it was that he joined the Navy to travel and see the world, only to end up in Virginia for four years. Following that, he was a cop, an EMT/Search and Rescue, and a recruiter for a recording company.
But his most influential professional role was that of ballroom dance teacher. John wasn't satisfied with having dance to himself, he had to share it with anyone and everyone he could. And, if it is even possible, he taught dancing with even more passion than he had when he danced himself. Teaching was so much a passion of his, that he developed an entire curriculum around teaching people how to be dance teachers.
John was a hero because he both saved and changed lives.
I know a few stories of his that he shared about being a cop where he saved a few lives. He didn't share too many of those though - being a cop left him with a lot of scars, both physical and emotional. One story I remember very clearly was when he grabbed a thug's arm just before said thug shoved a knife into another cop's gut. That's just one though, there were many more and even more than that I never got to hear. Same goes for his time as an EMT/Search and Rescue member.
But how many lives did he change with his love of dancing? We'll never know because the effects are too widespread to determine. How many couples rekindled love on his dance floor? How many people met their soul mate on his dance floor? How many of his students got others into dancing who found joy and happiness on the dance floor? How many of his students went dancing after a crappy day at work, giving themselves the chance to have fun and think positively for a change, and how many of those people went on to make positive changes in their life as a result?
I know several of his students that married after taking lessons with him. I'm sure there were many more.
Dad would always light up when I asked him for a dance lesson. He loved teaching my wife and I to dance. I don't think I ever got into dancing as much as he would have liked, but he was always proud of whatever I did do.
Dad was one of the most supportive people in my life. He didn't always agree with my choices, but he always supported them because they were my choices. Despite not having a real father figure in his life, Dad did pretty damn well being a good one in mine. Sure, there are some things I'm doing differently as a father, but I know my Dad is proud that I'm doing differently. My being a dedicated father is a testament to how important he was to me as Dad.
Dad and I always played rough with each other. We wrestled rough, we sparred constantly, and we played hardball when it came to jesting with each other. It was what Dad could do to teach me how to be tough. It worked to, because even though I wasn't the biggest kid on the block, I always felt I could take that kid on if I had to.
That and throw me in the deep end of the pool when I was five, just to teach me how to swim. That worked too, and now that's how I live my life. I'm not rich (yet) and I'm not perfect, but I'd say I'm doing very well.
I'm not afraid to take on big tasks, because Dad always thought big.
I'm not afraid to take a tumble, because Dad let me see he wasn't perfect.
I'm not afraid to try again, because Dad always got up swinging.
See? Even those faults I listed above came in handy!
Life merely happens around you unless you grit your teeth, growl a little, and jump right into the middle of the dance floor. Doesn't matter if you don't know all the steps; do what you can, and do it well, until you learn more. And don't wait forever, the song isn't that long.
Life was all about perspective. Dad knew that, even if he wasn't the best at executing it. He used to say, "If you didn't know when your birthday was, how old would you be?" That mindset is one of the reasons Dad stayed young for so long.
He didn't get to see a lot of his granddaughter, but when he did he always told me, "You did good Son. You two did good!" She'll know how great you were Dad, I promise you that. Hell, she already has started to enjoy dancing, and she's not even two yet!
In 2008, Dad had a stroke that initiated a downward spiral in his health. On October 28th, 2011, at high noon, Dad decided that he would be able to dance much better if he wasn't in his body anymore.
Enjoy the infinite dance floor Dad. Say hi to Grandma, Nana, and everyone else. Have a martini with Fred Astaire and dance as long as you want!
Per his request, his body will be donated to help researchers and doctors learn more about saving lives.
VIDEO PROJECT: John's son wishes to collect more video of John. If you were a student of John's, and would like to share the video tapes of your lessons, please email DaddyByTheMoments or call (916) 284-5045 with your contact information and Jordan will contact you.
Per his request, his body will be donated to help researchers and doctors learn more about saving lives.
VIDEO PROJECT: John's son wishes to collect more video of John. If you were a student of John's, and would like to share the video tapes of your lessons, please email DaddyByTheMoments or call (916) 284-5045 with your contact information and Jordan will contact you.
Today was a special day for a loving and wonderful man. My father-in-law was finally set free to love and dance for eternity. I feel so blessed to have known such a caring man-one who was always there to help, listen and encourage the ones around him. He was so kind to me from the get go and welcomed me into the family with open arms. He was a loving father who was so proud of his son and showed it every chance he got. He touched my heart and made me laugh, especially when he and Jordan bantered with each other. I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to learn some dance from one of the greatest teachers ever known! He saved lives, he touched lives and today he finally got to live again! Thank you John P. Lee for raising such an honorable man, for supporting us no matter what and for being YOU!!! Your granddaughter will always know what a great man you are and we knew from the first ultrasound that she got your dancing genes!!! Love you always and RIP ♥
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said big bro. I am sitting here, tears filling my eyes wondering how to put into words how I feel. I did not spend much time with John, but when I did, it was ALWAYS an experience filled with smiles and laughs. I loved seeing you two go at it and try to one up each other--it truly demonstrated what a great relationship you two had. You are right, no one is perfect, and I think it's important to note that it's the imperfect qualities in someone that we should learn to appreciate. I think it teaches us a lesson or two about life, and makes us realize how amazing we can all be if we embrace who we are. John proves that point.
ReplyDeleteYour mother and father raised an AMAZING son--they did a pretty damn good job. I know your dad is extremely proud of what you become and how good of son you were to him. When it was raining/snowing in NYC, I had a moment where I laughed to myself and thought "Good old John is dancing up above and making it rain/snow".
He will never be forgotten and will forever be celebrated, I mean Aliyah is already showing us her dance moves, which will always be a little bit of John dancing with us. Love you all very very much <3
John is the foundation within my steps!
ReplyDeleteMy mother taught me how to dance standing on her feet as a child,(She was an Earl Carroll dancer in the 40's, in Hollywood). But John is my foundation, and who taught me how to not "dance like no ones watchin", but to dance so everyone will want to watch you dance! I know John acquired many jewels on his crown, through sharing his knowledge of dance. I'll be hoping his dance card isn't to full by the time I arrive to his new ballroom in the sky! He will be remembered in my hearts memories forever!!
Thank you John for your incredibly awesome leads!!
Roberta Smith
Tango de Oro
Auburn, California
I was fortunate in being taught by John...and then being married to him for 10 years. I remember when we met at his first dance studio in Tucson, Arizona and then I remember our opening three studios in Boulder, Colorado.(this is where he later joined the police department) He created most of the dance steps for Fred Astaires when he first joined the studio in Oak Park Illinois.... I always thought that he was the most beautiful dancer....and was even better than Fred Astaire...we won several National and International dance competitions, performed on cruise ships, and even did a stint in Las Vegas......he met friends for life...loved to teach them to dance....and spent his life making other dreams come true. He became a good friend of my current husband whom ironically grew up 5 miles from each other. He made sure I knew the women he loved...and with whom I became fast friends with....He is up in that sky.....waiting for us all to join him.....making sure our shoulders are back...and always smiling. Love to his family!
ReplyDelete~Pat Lee Musselman
Before I knew who John Lee was, He judged a Dance contest My Wife and I competed in. After the competition John came up to me and said " you timing is wonderful". After thanking him. My wife said thats John Lee the best dance teacher in town.
ReplyDeleteWe will cherish these crazy/fun memories:
ReplyDeleteThe fun evenings of dancing with John and Janet then ending up at Denny's for a late night breakfast.
John driving a group of us in his motorhome to the bay area for a swing dance and having it catch on fire on the way home.
Many CSD board meetings to organize events for Capital Swing Dancers Club or creating the President's Day WCS convention/competition.
He touched many lives and we are better dancers/teachers for knowing him.
We took both private and group lessons from John & Janet over the years. John stood out as a professional and was a real class act. He will be sorely missed by the dance community but never forgotten!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoyed dancing with John, and he was always fun to be around. What an impact he had on so many people! Rest in peace, John.
ReplyDelete