James J. Bee, 60, attorney and coach

James J. Bee, 60, of Langhorne, a lawyer and coach, died of lung cancer Sunday, Dec. 26, at home.

Mr. Bee grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and graduated from Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, where he was on the basketball and track teams. He earned a bachelor's degree from La Salle University in 1972. For four years he taught social studies at William Tennent High School in Warminster. While teaching, he coached basketball at Holy Ghost Prep, and in 1972 and 1974 his teams won state championships.

After earning a law degree from Temple University in 1979, Mr. Bee opened a general law practice in Newtown. "He did a lot of pro bono work for friends and friends of friends," a daughter, Jaime, said.

Mr. Bee coached the Queen of the Universe Catholic Youth Organization softball team in Levittown and then coached the Middletown Athletic Association girls' softball team. Recently, he coached the Blazers, a girls' softball team in Southampton Township.

Though he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in March, he coached the Blazers in the spring and in the fall and continued to assist his law clients even when he was hospitalized, his daughter said.

Mr. Bee played golf, followed NASCAR racing, the Phillies, and the Eagles, and was a diehard 76ers fan, his daughter said.

Since 1973, Mr. Bee had been married to Susan "Troop" Spence Bee. They met as teenagers in Wildwood.

In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by daughters Jenny, Mary Kay, and Susie; a brother; and a sister.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, and from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, at Fluehr Funeral Home, 3301 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, at Resurrection of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, Castor and Shelmire Avenues, Philadelphia. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Wyndmoor.