Overview
John Milton Lee was a founding member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., recognized for his scholarly achievements, military service, and contributions to the fraternity's early development and chapters.
Early Life and Education
- Born September 7, 1890, in Danville, Indiana, the third of four children.
- Attended Danville public schools, enrolled at Indiana University in 1910 completing three years of pre-medical studies.
- Attended University of Pennsylvania in 1914 and Temple University in 1915, but withdrew due to health and family reasons.
Military and Civic Engagement
- Enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917, served as a non-commissioned officer in the first Negro Field Artillery Regiment.
- Served overseas as Sergeant First Class and Gunner; reportedly fired the first shot by a Negro Artillery Battery.
- Associate editor of "Modern Artillerymen," and president of Fairview Golf Club, the first Negro golf club in Pennsylvania.
Professional and Community Involvement
- Ran a successful catering business in Philadelphia for eight years.
- Vice-President and Secretary of the Mutual Emergency Union, a mutual aid company.
- Served on the Board of Managers of the Columbia Community Branch of the YMCA.
- Editor of "The Golfer," the Fairview Golf Club’s monthly publication for two years.
Contributions to Kappa Alpha Psi
- Listed as Secretary in the fraternity’s Articles of Incorporation.
- Assisted in developing fraternity emblems and establishing Epsilon, Lambda, and Philadelphia Alumni Chapters.
- Served as interim Polemarch of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter.
- Remembered as a loyal, idealistic worker supportive of the fraternity’s growth.
Achievements and Personal Life
- Earned a doctorate of Philosophy in 1940.
- Married Mary Walker Robinson in 1931.
- Employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the time of his death on January 3, 1958.
- Only Kappa Alpha Psi founder cremated; ashes preserved at International Headquarters in Philadelphia.