David Lee Thomas Bass: How Did Tommy Lees Father Die?

David Lee Thomas Bass is the late father of Thomas Lee Bass aka Tommy Lee. David Lee Thomas Bass’s son Tommy Lee is an American musician, composer, actor, and film producer. He serves as the co-founder and drummer for the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. He founded the rap metal band Methods of Mayhem. David is also the father of American drummer and actress Athena Lee.

David Lee Thomas Bass: Bio Summary

NameDavid Lee Thomas Bass
Date of birth30 April 1924
Place of birthTaconite, Itasca, Minnesota, United States
Famous asfather of Tommy Lee
NationalityAmerican
Died18 September 2001 (aged 77)
SpouseVassiliki Papadimitriou
ChildrenTommy Lee and Athena Lee
ParentsJohn Samuel Bass and Julia E. Sanders

Who Was Tommy Lee’s Father, David Lee Thomas Bass?

David Lee Thomas Bass was born on April 30, 1924, in Taconite, Itasca, Minnesota, United States. He was the son of John Samuel Bass and Julia Esther (Sanders) Chrape. He was an American and had English and some Irish and French, ancestry. He was a U.S. Army sergeant. David was in Greece working when he met Vassiliki “Voula” Papadimitriou, who was of Greek descent.

Vassiliki was a contestant on the 1957 Miss Greece beauty contest. David and Vassiliki fell in love with each other. They reportedly had challenges communicating because Vassiliki was unable to speak English. The two had to communicate with the help of a translation dictionary and draw pictures for each other. However, their language barrier didn’t stop them from becoming a couple officially.

David Lee Thomas Bass made Vassiliki Papadimitriou his wife on 22 July 1957, in a beautiful ceremony that happened in Athens, Attica, Greece. A few years after their marriage, the couple welcomed a son. Their son Tommy Lee was born Thomas Lee Bass on October 3, 1962, in Athens, Greece. Soon after Tommy was born, the family moved to the United States of America.

They settled in California. On December 8, 1964, in Los Angeles County, California, U.S., David and his wife Vassiliki welcomed a daughter Athena L. Bass also known as Athena Lee. David was a loving and caring husband and father. He was very supportive of his children. He worked hard to provide for his family. After his time in the military was over, David became a shop superintendent.

David’s wife Vassiliki Papadimitriou worked as a part-time cleaner. Their oldest child Tommy Lee has spoken of how David and Vassiliki were so much in love with each other. “I’d watch my dad pinch my mom’s (expletive) and blow her kisses from across the room or get up suddenly just to go over [to her],” Tommy Lee once revealed. David and Vassiliki were very supportive of their children.

ALSO, READ: Vassiliki Papadimitriou: What Happened To Tommy Lee’s Mother?

Their son Tommy Lee showed an interest in playing drums at a young age. He got his first drumsticks at the age of four. He was a teenager when he received his first proper drum kit. His father David decided to sacrifice his workspace for his son. He turned his workspace in the garage into a rehearsal studio. Tommy then decided to quit high school to pursue a music career.

David and Vassiliki’s daughter Athena Lee also fell in love with playing drums. She started to have an interest in the drums at age fifteen or sixteen. Speaking of her first experience sitting behind a kit, she said during an interview: “The very first day I sat behind a kit—at this time Tommy already had a soundproof studio that my dad built for him, because our neighbor was complaining—”

“I remember I wanted to go to a dance, but for some reason I couldn’t go, and I was super mad. My brother goes, “Are you pissed”? I go, “What do you think”? “Come downstairs.” He hands me sticks and says, “Here, take it out on this.” So I just started hitting the drums, and in seconds I started feeling better.” David and his wife Vassiliki remained married until he passed away.

David Lee Thomas Bass is said to have previously been married to Lois Lavonne Aultman. He married Lois reportedly on 8 June 1946, in Itasca, Minnesota, United States. They had one child, Gerald Ray Bass. David lived a quiet life away from publicity. He had a great relationship with his son Tommy Lee.

How Did Tommy Lee’s Father Die?

David Lee Thomas Bass died on September 18, 2001, in Bullhead City, Mohave Co., AZ. He was 77 years old when he died. How he passed away is unknown. However, per Amomama, he became disabled and his beloved wife Vassiliki Papadimitriou was by his side taking care of him. David had told his son Tommy Lee that he was not afraid to die. He said: “I’ve got amazing kids.”

ALSO, READ: Kimberlea Cloughley: What happened to Tommy Lee Jones’ ex-wife?

“I’ve had an amazing life. I’m ready. I love your mother, and I loved my life.” On June 17, 2018, celebrating Father’s Day, Tommy Lee shared a post speaking of some of the things his father taught him while growing up. He wrote: “My father taught me to respect everyone and everything and to take care of those that I loved. He taught me to appreciate my possessions, and to be grateful for the things I was given.”

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