Baxter Lee
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Baxter Lee was born in Knoxville in 1943. He attended Webb School of Knoxville and the University of Tennessee and then served in the U.S. Army.
In 1969 Lee started an institutional cleaning service that eventually became Southeast Service Corporation, a company that operated in 34 states. He helped start more than 20 businesses including the restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday. His other businesses included Custom Foods, Inc. and Fisher Catering Services in New Zealand.
Lee was known and admired for his creativity, mentoring, and entrepreneurship. He died in 1998, but his wife, Sherri, continues her husband’s commitment of support to the East Tennessee Historical Society, Webb School of Knoxville, Maryville College, and numerous other organizations.
Baxter Lee was named a Pillar of Support by Sherri.