A Celebration of Life for Jarrett Oscar Lee is scheduled May 8th at the VFW in his hometown of Emmetsburg, Iowa. Visitation and Lunch from 11 am to 2 pm. Graveside service at 2:30.
Jarrett passed away and went to be with his Lord peacefully on October 25, 2025. He was born June 6, 1934, in Emmetsburg, Iowa. He lived on a farm owned by his mom and dad in Cylinder, Iowa. As a young boy, he helped his dad on the farm driving tractor to plow fields. He would get up early to milk the cows before leaving for school. He attended school in Cylinder until his graduation.
During his years at school, he loved playing baseball. After graduation he started his own business painting houses and barns, whatever he could to earn money. In 1956 he enlisted in the United States Air Force doing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He eventually was stationed in Topeka, Kansas. He would talk about having to keep his duffle bag by the door ready to fly out to some place in the world. Never knew exactly where. After his military service, he went back to his hometown to stay. Through the years he worked with law enforcement, trained as an EMT, worked as a deputy sheriff and as a police officer. After being hired as Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management he dedicated many years for Palo Alto County. During this time, he worked hard and many hours putting in the original 911 emergency system.
Jarrett was a handyman. He could do or fix anything that needed to be done. Just call Jarrett, he can fix it. He would buy an older home and remodel it. He was happy being with friends, golfing, hunting, or fishing. When he retired, he moved to Oklahoma. After his move, he did mostly traveling and would come back to Iowa many times to be with family and friends. He was a good Christian and read his bible daily which meant very much to him. He always found the best in everyone and made lots of friends. Jarrett’s steady hands, strong faith and loving heart will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by parents Oscar and Ruth (Sampson) Lee, brothers Bernard and Ronald, and sisters, Betty Moen, Beverly Banwart and Bertha Koenck. Also, Joyce A. Lee, Charles Lee, Kit Lee and Jackie Briggs. Survivors include his loving wife Janice (Clark) Lee, sons David (Kari), Perry, Robert (Shelly), Randy, Taylor Henderson (Aimee), son-in-law Jim Briggs, sisters Donna Mundus, Jeannine Lucy and Wanda Spiker (Jim) as well as a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and countless friends.
