Rembering Donald Lee

​Donald George Lee
Born: October 5, 1941 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Departed this life: July 9, 2026, 
Wenatchee, Wash.

Don was born in 1941 to Bob and Laura Lee. The youngest of four sons, he grew up on a small dairy farm in northern Idaho and enjoyed a happy childhood rich in everything except cash or sisters. He made his choice to serve the Lord at Bonners Ferry convention in 1954 and kept true to that choice until the end of his life.

After graduating from the University of Idaho and teaching a year in White Salmon, Wash., Don married Joan Jacobsen of Burien, Wash. in 1964. They lived in Corvallis, Ore. while Don completed a master's degree at Oregon State, then moved to Kitsap County, Wash. where he taught science at North Kitsap High School. They raised their four children, Merlin, June, Kevin and Brian, in Poulsbo, then Kingston. In 1988, Don & Joan moved to Lima, Peru, where Don taught at Colegio Roosevelt until Joan died of cancer in 1997.

In 1999, Don married Barbara Taylor of Stettler, Alberta. They resided in N. Seattle for a short span; then they soon moved to Spain, where Don was the head of the science department at the American School of Madrid. They enjoyed traveling internationally together. They retired to Omak in 2007, and Don kept active by working part-time as a substitute teacher in the local schools. In 2020, they moved to Wenatchee, where Barbara lovingly cared for Don at home until his Alzheimer's reached the final stage.

After a short stay in hospital in May, because of complications, Don was then moved to Cashmere Post Acute on June 9. Upon falling July 5 and sustaining a broken hip, Don was admitted back to hospital where he received loving care until his passing, July 9.

Don was preceded in death by his first wife Joan, his parents, and brothers Bobby and Harry.

Don is survived by his wife Barbara; brother Art of New Plymouth, Idaho; and his children:

• Merlin & Tina Lee in Greer, S.C.
• June Lee in Townsend, Mont.
• Kevin & Robin Lee in Milford, Ohio
• Brian & Sue Lee in Lake Forest Park, Wash.

He loved his six granddaughters enormously:

• Erika, working in the ministry in Kentucky and Tennessee
• Amanda and Kevin Cavazos in Bow, Wash.
• Alayna in Milford, Ohio
• Kendra, Kayla, and Kenzie in Lake Forest Park, Wash.

He also leaves behind several brothers and sisters-in-law, many nephews and nieces and their families, along with an innumerable number of friends and former students.

A service was held Saturday, July 25th at 1:00 PM at Foothills Community Center. Interment was Monday, July 27th at Greenwood Memorial Park in Renton.

The family would like to thank the staff at Central Hospital and Cashmere Post Acute for the care administered to Don while a patient there, also for their helpful input.

Please express your thoughts and memories in the online guestbook.