Celebrate the life of John "Tuthdoc" Lee

[crittergitter]

Welcome to the fire kkyle. Thanks for the color.

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Was explaining to my 10 year old that we had a funeral to attend. When I told her it was "one of the really good guys who posted on texasbowhunter.com" she asked "Which one?"

I told her it was a guy they called "Tuthdoc" and she said, "Oh my, I know him, I have his name tag!"

My daughter reads this stuff sparingly at best but somehow, she remembered John after only meeting him in person one time at Bownanza. Her next line was, "Oh my goodness Daddy, we just saw him."

[ATTACH]98168[/ATTACH]

the peace sign under his name tag makes a cool picture

[Mailman]

From Jim Boeker

John's brother-in-law, Jim Boeker, Uncle JB to me, asked me to post this for him...

I am the blonde’s brother. Since Thursday when Brent (Blade to you guys) and I spoke hopefully to John as the medics put him in the helicopter for Lufkin I have spent many hours focusing on memories of John Dwight Lee, my beloved brother-in-law. The thoughts have come flooding back so chaotically that I began to gather them on paper so I could better arrange and understand them and get a handle on this healing process, since John’s passing has really hit me hard. After seeing the outpouring of love and respect the TBH community has shown John, I decided to share these memories with you folks so you can have another perspective of Tuthdoc, and at the same time, help me deal with this grieving process.



I have known John for almost 40 years, two thirds of my life (OK almost 2/3), so you can understand why I am struggling with this so much. He is the little brother I never had. Bobby and Mark were still kids and I didn’t get to know them until later, but I consider them my brothers too. I will be there any time they need me. They are quality people.



The first I knew of John was when I was in the Army overseas back in the day (67-69). My supply of cookies and cinnamon rolls my Mom used to send me regularly began to dry up. You see, my little sister Judy, the blonde, after culling a few others, started dating John. Little whippersnapper worked his way into Mama’s kitchen real quick like. He was so loved by the family he was served most of my goodies before they got mailed. When it was time for my return I think he was a little worried about his girlfriend’s Army brother coming home in a surly mood. When I first met him, I thought he was a little too polite to be real, so it took a short while for me to believe in him, but that reluctance went away rapidly after that. The kid was a keeper. Anyway, he was relieved that I accepted him and his nervousness was soon put to rest. So there was room for his red 65 Mustang with black top in our driveway. Mama made us a bunch of goodies then that we shared. John ate dinner with us often and Daddy even convinced John to try sour cream on his baked potatoes. I think that’s the last new food he tried and liked. After all, the man ate only meat, corn, and potatoes his whole life. No wonder he had an affinity for throwing corn in feeders. A real bonafide meat and potatoes man he was. Oh, and fried catfish and crawfish. Of course, you all know what he drank. I should have bought shares of Pepsico. I saw John take one sip of one screwdriver and that’s the only time I have seen him put an adult beverage to his lips in all those years. Man had self control.



So John and I hit it off pretty good. Looking back, who could not hit it off with John? I introduced him to skeet shooting and because he is so competitive he got terribly frustrated when he did not beat me. Of course, he was handicapped with a 16 gauge and I was going with a 12. I knew he had a history of hunting, but we had to refine his shotgun skills. We went skeet shooting several times a week back then at Charlie’s on South Main. One armed guy named Hook ran the place and loved it when we came in cause we were his cash cows. (You know how much John hated cows.) Anyway, ol’ Hook would just chew on his stinky ol’ unlit cigar stub and say “usual?” Yep, only two rounds at first to conserve money, followed quickly by two more rounds to heck with the money because John wanted to beat me. I told him I don’t mind him beating me, but he had to earn it cause I’m not gonna LET him beat me. Oh yeah, give us 25 pounds of 7 ½ shot, can of powder, and some wadding too, Hook. When you put cash on the table, ol’ Hook would put his stainless steel hand hook on the cash I guess to make sure we wouldn’t pick it back up. John and I were not about to cross anyone with a hay hook for an arm anyway, so we just looked at each other and waited for change. We reloaded shells back then and that saved a bit, but we still spent more than we should have on shooting birds you can’t eat. John later became an excellent wingshooter, and I like to think I had a small hand in that.



I remember our bird hunts at the farm when he was getting good with the scattergun. Once a lone goose flew toward us overhead way out of range. John asked if he could shoot it and I told him he could but he’s wasting a shell. He hit that dang goose with one BB from his old 16 gauge and the darn snow almost hit us, landing right at our feet with a big “palump” sound. It was then I knew this kid was coming along with his shotgun. Told him from then on he could shoot whatever he thought he could hit without wounding it. We both got so good at shooting quail that we could catch glimpses of quail flying below weed height through occasional openings in the weeds, sight swing through the weeds, estimate the right lead, and squeeze off at the next opening. The 7 ½ shot and quail would hit the opening at the same time. Feathers. One time John brought another dental student with him quail hunting while the birds were flying like that and after seeing John shoot, the guy just watched us and didn’t shoot anymore. John and I just knowingly looked at each other, smiled, and without telling his friend why, moved to a different pasture for easier quail. Man was kind to others without them even knowing it.



We used to hide in the cattails of the cattle tanks waiting for ducks to come in late afternoon. We would stand waist deep amongst the cattails freezing our behinds off waiting for the one shot opportunity that ponds provide. We always got ducks. Usually two for each of us, one with wings cupped coming down, and one with wings frantically climbing skyward after our first shot. If they came to one tank early enough, we would hurry to the next tank and do the same thing, repeating until shooting time was over or limits complete. Man was a trooper and I began to see he had staying power.



John showed me how to catch my first bass on Taylor Lake in east Texas. I was raised on saltwater fishing using shrimp as bait and there he was catching fish on weird looking contraptions called spinner baits. I laughed and asked him what the heck are we gonna catch on that? Told me they were H&Hs and just cast and crank. Worked. Every little 2 pound bass I caught John would enthusiastically say “allll right!” followed by that patented laugh of his and made me feel like the best fisherman in the world. When I caught a six pounder you would’ve thought he caught it he was so happy. Here was the young whippersnapper turning everything around and teaching me. Man was a natural born teacher. Every time I went fishing with John he wore me out. After about 2000 casts, I was ready to go. Not John. He wasn’t leaving until darkness or storm drove us off the lake. Man had persistence. He got so good that he won several bass boats fishing pro. He was getting so far along on the pro bass circuit that he felt he had to choose between staying gone most of the year catching fish or staying home and fixing teeth, so he just came on home and fixed teeth. I think he was worried the blond may lose her patience. LOL Man had wisdom. He put all that focus and enthusiasm into hunting after that and you all know the results of that focus.



Those trips provide fond memories of John. It was just him and me back then at the farm. I had a little brother! After that first year back from the Army I moved to San Marcos to finish school. Judy and John were finishing school in Houston and forging their own life. John continued hunting and fishing and became a true expert in the outdoors, along with his brothers Bobby and Mark. I got focused on other things and my interest in hunting and fishing was replaced with career drive, fast cars, fast boats and airplanes. Our interests had naturally diverged. Not a bad thing, just happened. John would invite me to go hunting occasionally and I would, and I was amazed at John’s passion and dedication to all things hunting. John didn’t go hunting – he was a hunter. My passion was hunting business deals, his was hunting for game. I think he always tried to get my interest back to the outdoors, but I was too busy with other things. After I had sons John was itching to take them along to teach. My oldest son Travis worked hard at 3d shoots and always got trophies for his shooting. Most of the kids got a trophy, but Travis got them for winning. Kid could shoot. At age 7, he worked hard enough to get to 40# draw so he could bow hunt. John would brag about how the 10 and 12 year olds at the shoots could not even draw back his 7 year old nephew’s bow. He was proud. After only a couple trips to the ranch, for some reason Travis lost interest in hunting and didn’t want to go anymore. John and I both missed him being there. A few years after that, John took Brent (Blade) under his wings when he got old enough. Brent loved going to the ranch with John. On Brent’s first long ranch trip with John, the “Blade” took a 6 point, a turkey, and a coon with his bow all on the same day, on the same hunt! When I showed up at the ranch, Brent ran to the truck to tell me all about it, and John was right behind him weaving the tale, laughing that special laugh, proud as a peacock. John was beside himself with joy. I know Brent felt that joy from John and internalized John’s love of hunting. John finally got me to dust off his old Safari and get a place on the lease. As long as I had a son interested, that was fine with me. John was so concerned that I didn’t get my fair share of game. But it didn’t bother me. I just liked going to the ranch and being with John, Bobby, and Mark, all the other hunters and all the kids. I sleep like a baby at the ranch, and that’s what I needed.



So what is it that made this man special? The last few days I have thought about that and came up with a few opinions, so here goes. John was RESPONSIBLE. I think he got that from taking his younger siblings under his wing at an early age. He felt responsible for them then, and does to this day. By extension, he feels responsible for everyone in his sphere. John was INTELLIGENT. Over my life, I have been around Army generals, famous heart surgeons designing heart pumps, and rocket engineers designing Liquid Oxygen valves for the space shuttle. John was smarter than all of them. How do I know that? John was smart enough that he did not have to advertise it to you. The other people I mentioned did. John KNEW WHO HE WAS. His life was brilliant in it’s simplicity. How many of you knew at a very early age EXACTLY what career you wanted and attained it? John did. He never needed the crutches of alcohol, tobacco, or profanity to search his way through life. I think I’ve heard a few “craps” out of him, but around me at least, he never cussed. John was LOYAL to those in his sphere. One could depend on John. Even though there would sometimes be long times between our visits, we both knew we could depend on the other without even saying it.



Did John have flaws? Of course he did. He could’ve not been so hard headed and go to the dang doctor for regular check-ups. Are you doing that by the way? I’m planning on it now. Was he a saint? No, but who cares? He was such a great guy to be around and made everyone feel special with that positive energy of his.



Why would God take such a fine man so early in life? I think God has made John a marker for all of us. Would we all be internalizing and feeling the pain of John’s loss if he was a drunken, cussing, poacher? I don’t think so. Instead, this man has a revered status to all of us because of the way he lived his life. We can see first hand that a good life CAN be lived, and all those touched by that good life benefit. Gives us hope for our own future.



Thank you all for letting me be so long-winded. I filled a two litre bottle of Pepsi with tears, but it sure has helped me get on down the road. Good luck to all of you.



God Speed, John Dwight Lee. I love you.



Jim

[Rsatt]

Great Post, Jim, as I set here with tears again.

Thank You, Sir.

[Mary]

Very, very nice Jim....
Thank you!

[KingsX]

Simply incredible Jim........thanks for sharing this with us! John will be missed here for sure!

[happy bowhunter]

Awesome Jim thanks

[GregE]

When the Edersbow site reorganized in '98 Tuthdoc was one of the individuals recommended to be a site moderator. His well written and t h o r o u g h posts were appreciated by all and his calm manner quickly settled the few hot head know-it-alls that seem to plague most Internet sites.

We had quite a core group back then and enjoyed making up 'serial hunting trip storys' that each poster would try to meld in with the previous ones. Tuthdoc quickly became called TD ( or the scum sucking dentist) and was a central figure to The Great Jackalope Hunt and other epic sagas. He drove a 'CaddyRover' and was counted on to bring many members like DFA from the southern regions.

John was a busy man and posted less and less as his involvment at TBH grew which was a loss felt by the Eder site group. We will miss him along with all of you.

The link is to a thread that parallels some thoughts expressed here.

http://forums.eders.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1111&sid=0fad1e5b716d9a7d972871b814aa5ad1

Farewell TD.

Greg Eastman

[BaylorCoBowhunter]

Thanks Jim.

[WoJo]

I never met TD in person but I did exchange post and PMs with him.

Back when I was just getting started with TBH he posted a Double Bull blind he spotted on ebay. Yes, he did find deals on DBs. He only took the best deals but he did point others towards the ones he did not want. I was not in the market for one at the time but it was a good deal so I started bidding on it. Well, I won the auction. Of course I gave more for it than he would have but it was a deal for me.

On the post I wrote, "Dang it, I got it!!". He PMed me to say I hope I did not cause a problem. I responded to let him know that it was a deal for me but I was really not looking to buy one at the time. It has been a great blind for me and I do not regret getting it at all. We have all enjoyed TDs rants about DB blinds and their high price but he did know quality at the right price.

TD was a great man and always dealt with people square, even those he did not know personally. I wish I had known him better.

Prayers for his family.

[Archery1st]

Thanks Jim!

Outstanding tribute Jim!

[tpowell]

I did not have the chance to know John near as long as I wish I could've but the time that I did know him he made a huge impact on me and my wife. He was one of the smartest people I have or I am sure will ever know when it came to pretty much anything outdoors. And what stood out to me with John was no-matter how dumb the question was he would always take the time to explain how and what he would do if in that same position. He earned a lot of respect from me very quickly due to the way he never talked down to even the newest hunter and always had time to share a story.

When I was offered the opportunity to start hunting in SanAngelo I knew that there was a lot of knowledge that I would pickup from the Lee boys but had no idea how much fun it would be also. John didn’t let too many chances go by without telling a story or making you laugh at yourself for something that he was sure to point out. I just always liked it when Matt was around because John really gave him a hard time but you always knew that there was a special relationship there and Matt would just shake it off and laugh like us all.

A few months ago I started going to the Junco with Mark, John, and ,Bobby and the first thing that I told Mark was how does a person throw feed as well as he does and never slow down and Mark told me "You should've seen him five years ago" he was far from lazy and could work circles around me anyday. But one thing that keeps coming to mind is one trip back to the Lowboy to fill the rangers back up he sat there in his ranger and as always found my cigarettes and was giving me a hard time about smoking and he said to me with a grin of course "I am going to save half your life" then he slowly started pulling them out one by one breaking them in half and sticking one half back in the package. After I made it to his ranger and got them from him he said "Hey you should be thanking me".

There are a lot more stories that Matt does an amazing job of telling and hopefully he can tall each and everyone of you but this was just one time that I kept thinking about.

Tuthdoc will be missed by a lot of people that knew him and a lot more by the people that didn't have the honor of meeting him and absorbing some of his wealth of knowledge.RIP

To all the family if there is anything that I can do to help through these difficult times please let me know................Tommy

Matt, Mark and Bobby both have my number.

[Fishndude]

Great stories from a great family. Reading this helps me understand the man and how he gained so much respect from all of us and all of you.

On a side note, I am honored by the pics below. I designed that t-shirt for LSBA when we had our "Team 1000" membership drive. I don't remember everyone who helped push us over our goal but obviosly, John helped with his membership.

[Ricky T]

Quite a tribute, Jim. Those character traits you describe in John bled through this impersonal message board. Sorry for your loss but thanks for the insight.

[Bower]

Lee brothers

Bobby and I talked after the we watch John pass to a better place, we talked about how now their are only 2 Lee brothers left But after reading in here for hours on end I see that I truely have Thousands of Brothers . You guys and Gals have no idea how this has helped me thru this very hard time in my life...My words can never repay you . Welcome brothers all of you.....Mark Lee brother # 3

[Dale Moser]

These stories are priceless, can't wait to see this thread in the archives where I can read it whenever I want.

I envy you guys who knew John for as long as you did, I'm glad I knew him for the short time that I did.

Sunday night I dug out a "Tuthdoc" name tag, that I think I grabbed from Blaine thinking it was mine that she'd pilfered from me at Nanza this year. He must have brought it from last year, as it has the Pepsi Nanza logo on the back ('08). If Matt, or any of the family would like it, send my your address and it's yours! If not, it will ride in the truck with me from now on.

Thank you again for your stories.