KNOX —  J. David Lee of Knox — whom his family described as “a solitary, kind, quiet man” —  died on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. He was 81.

He was born in Auburn, New York to the late H. Patricia and Stanley Lee. The family later moved to the Schenectady area, eventually settling in Duanesburg.

Mr. Lee attended Duanesburg High School, graduating in 1958. After graduation, he served proudly in the United States Army stationed in Heidelberg, Germany with the 102nd U.S. Army Security Agency; received an honorable discharge in 1965.

Using the G.I. Bill, he attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Institute in Daytona Beach, Florida. He then worked for Eastern and Mohawk airlines as an aircraft mechanic.

“Always a car lover, he transitioned to working on cars full time, eventually owning his own business that specialized in antique and foreign cars,” his family wrote in a tribute. “After his retirement in 2005, David’s clock hobby became a second career. He attended many flea markets and car shows where he sold various car and clock-related items.

“David became known as ‘The Clock Man’ by customers from around the world. Car and clock enthusiasts would seek him out to either buy a clock from him or repair a clock for their collection.”

He belonged to the Antique Automobile Club and the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Inc. He owned an extensive collection of watches and clocks he acquired traveling the East Coast with his buddy Milt Barber.

“David enjoyed traveling with his family. One of his fondest trips was a month-long adventure in the family motorhome to the western states to see the wonders of many national parks,” his family wrote. “Other trips included Cape Cod, Florida, Maine, and the Rhode Island coast.”

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J. David Lee is survived by his wife of 51 years, Wilma Gaige Lee, and his daughters, Rona Lee Heaton and Heather Lee Murphy, as well as by his grandchildren, Madison, twins Owen and Sagan Murphy, and Derek and Connor Heaton. He also leaves behind his brother, Stanley A. Lee, and his wife, Fern, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

His parents, H. Patricia and Stanley Lee, died before him, as did his brother, Norman Lee.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon at the White-Van Buren Funeral Home at 1779 Main St. in Delanson, New York. Immediately following the calling hours, his ashes will be laid to rest with military honors at Grove Cemetery in Delanson.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Northeast Kidney Foundation, 22 Colvin Ave., Albany, NY 12206.