BCF professor’s legacy impacted Kingdom

GRACEVILLE (BCF)–Thirty-six year Baptist College of Florida (BCF) professor Jerry “J.W.” Lee, 72, died April 23 in Graceville following a two-year battle with cancer.

Services April 25 drew a crowd of over 700 to the Baptist College of Florida campus where friends and co-workers remembered the life of the man whose legacy has spanned over three and a half decades and impacted thousands of students.

“Dr. J.W. Lee . . . has impacted the lives of more individuals for good and for Kingdom service than any who has ever served at BCF, and that puts him in great company,” said BCF President Thomas A. Kinchen of the long-time fixture on the campus.

“Nobody had a larger tribe or a larger following.”

Many of these students returned to the BCF campus for the service to honor their teacher and friend. Speakers chosen by Lee in his final days outlined his life as a churchman, educator, academician, denominational loyalist, friend and family leader.

Fellow professor Jerry Windsor recounted Lee’s early days of ministry on the banks of the Mississippi River at the age of 18 in 1951, when Lee surrendered to God’s calling on his life.

According to notes left by Lee, he pastored six churches and served as interim pastor of 42 churches, perhaps a record for the state of Florida in Southern Baptist work. He authored articles for numerous denominational publications and guided 10 trips to Israel and Europe.

Lee joined the staff of BCF, then Baptist Bible Institute, in 1969, and 36 years later, according to Kinchen, “died on duty.” At his death, Lee was still employed at BCF as senior professor of Old Testament, although he had been unable to teach classes for several semesters.

Lee’s commitment to his students is what many said set him apart.

“Dr. Lee had the mind of a scholar and it showed for anyone that talked with him. He made the prophets walk through class. He made the Psalms sing afresh and anew,” explained Kinchen. “[H]e had not only the mind of the scholar; he had the heart and the passion of a pastor.”

Kinchen said Lee’s teaching drew students and after teaching for 35 years, he still couldn’t teach Isaiah without crying. “I’m grateful that he couldn’t,” Kinchen said.

The tribute was dotted with moments of laughter noting Lee’s archetypal qualities including meticulous planning and note-taking on half sheets of paper.

This was a habit that followed him through planning his own funeral service as each speaker stood before the group with a half sheet of paper in hand.

Speaking of Lee’s thorough planning of this service, Kinchen noted to roaring laughter, “Some of you who studied under him will not be surprised that his instructions were on half sheets of paper.”

Lee’s sense of humor was also carried through to this final service in choosing past graders as pallbearers leaving a note as read by Kinchen, “These men have served me, assisted me, and carried me through the years, so it is appropriate that they continue to do so now.”

Lee’s scholarly bent, combined with his love for students and contagiously gregarious personality, has indeed impacted the lives of countless students.

Windsor remembered: “Jerry Lee was bigger than life on the campus of the Baptist College of Florida because of everyone’s respect for him. In Jesus Christ he is now larger than death .... May his tribe increase.”

Lee is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joyce Yvonne, three adult children, one sister and five grandchildren. He was buried at Marvin Chapel Cemetery in Graceville.

Memorials may be made to the Dr. J.W. and Joyce Lee Scholarship Fund at BCF by calling (800) 328-2660, ext. 416.