Uncle Don shared his love for national parks and, at the time, Avril Lavigne when he took me, Michael, and my mom to Bass Lake, Mariposa Groves, and Hearst Castle one summer. That trip he organized helped fuel my love for architecture and instilled the importance to always incorporate fruit in your meals.

It was hard to really know Uncle Don, but through the countless times he opened his home to me and all of us cousins, giving us a space to celebrate good times and family, I understood that he cared about his family and loved to see them happy.

I'm saddened that he suffered in his passing and my heart goes out to the family in this loss.

I was the only girl and the youngest, so like a big brother, one morning he took me outside to the back porch and sternly said to me, “ You are so spoiled.” As though I didn’t hear it the first time he again said, “You are so spoiled.” I will never forget what he said to me. It still rings in my mind. I hope I’m no longer “spoiled.”

When I started to attend a church he told me you should go to the Kingdom Hall and wear your longest dress. So I listened and went to the Kingdom Hall. He was always there to pick me up for the meetings, assemblies, and conventions. He always had James Taylor playing in his car, an older Volvo he called Betsy. He was always there to take me, which encouraged me to make the truth my own.

Donald was a kind person and did so many things for me as a big brother. I look forward to welcoming him back to life during the resurrection!

I remember as a teenager being at Dons house one time I picked up an acoustic guitar lying around. Not knowing how to play Don heard me making noise and taught me how to play my first song. I was hooked and fell in love with the guitar ever since!

One time when we lived on Custer Street in Oakland, we used to like to play guitars with each other. I only had my Gretch guitar, an old, left handed, hand me down instrument. Don went and bought me a nice condition Yamaha guitar, which I appreciated so much. Doug Scott

Posted by Sarah Young

When I was much younger, I use to visit Don and my sister Ruth in Kansas. I would wake up early in the morning to the sound of Don playing his acoustic guitar in his office. So, I would crawl out of bed and hide out of site in the hallway so I could hear him play and sing better. It was so comforting and soothing! I loved it! He taught me to play later and bought me my first guitar. He was a great teacher and very patient. I still have that guitar today! 

At congregation gatherings it was so much fun watching and listening to him and Paul play and sing, especially Dueling Banjos! They were SO awesome!

It was Don who paid for me to go with the family to Disneyland the first time. He loved sharing all the cool things with others that he liked to do. Always so generous! I was so happy and appreciative that he was so willing to share with me!

It was Don who taught me how to set tile, who taught me how to be efficient and organized in the trade. It was Don who set me up with my own tiling company and it was Don whom I gave the credit to for his patience and teaching skills on my website, sarahyoungtiling.com. SQUARE/PLUMB/LEVEL!!!  (Inside joke).

I will forever be grateful to have had him in my life. I will forever be grateful to have his children in my life and I look forward to seeing him again in God’s Paradise soon to come. I believe with my whole heart that my God, Jehovah, will remember him for all his goodness. That Jehovah will call out his name, “Donald”! and Don will rise up and give hugs, with tears of joy, to all those who are waiting for him. I plan on being one of them!!! 

Can hardly wait to see you again!
Sarah

Don was a man who loved sharing
his love of adventure with his children, his family, and his friends.
Don would plan summer trips that would often include myself, and my two daughters. He thought of us, and treated us, just like family.
Some of my favorite memories with
Don and his family were those summer trips. I especially remember one time in
Arizona , when his plans included an off road adventure on four wheelers. That was quite the experience! I will always be thankful for all the wonderful adventures that he shared so generously with my family.

Although we ( Markham and I ) didn’t get to know Don and his family until the kids were all in their teens, I remember how surprised Don was to see what we allowed our crazy kids and their friends to do at our house. Most of the time it was boys at our house, the gathering place, and sometimes a few girls were invited to participate.  Nerf wars were a favorite at our house, inside and outside. We had a two story home with an open loft area, perfect for nerf wars.  Don watched in amazement as the boys played their games.
Circumstances didn’t allow our families to be as close as I wanted, but I cherish the times we spent with the kids and those memories will forever be etched in our hearts.  The Paler Family………..

I remember when I was little and he had the coolest car of any grown-up I knew. He always seemed to have such an adventurous life.

I will be forever grateful to have been a part of his extended family, and thankful for so many opportunities to tag along on day trips and family vacations, and to celebrate happy occasions together.

I'll never forget his sense of wonder at the world around us, or his cheerful disposition. I can still hear him chuckling and talking in his goofy voices. He will be remembered fondly!

Don had an infectious laugh. You knew it was him just by his laugh. When I was a young man trying to find my way, Don helped me out by giving me a job with his construction company. He taught me some of his trade and was very patient in teaching me. He helped me develop my work ethic and helped me get a start on my pathway into adulthood. He will be missed.

It is challenging and so surreal to grasp the notion - that you have transcended this plane of existence, Mr. Lee. 

Your unforgettable laughter, your smile, your love for adventure and life ... will always be remembered, as well as your kindness.

Thank you - for being like family to me and my family and for being a friend who always made time to help others ... and always made time to just to be fully present . 

Thank you for always being authentically you, Mr. Don Lee - I will miss your emails, our in-person conversations and I will miss not seeing you anymore.

You will always live on in our memories and hearts and never be forgotten.

And if such a thing as an after life truly exists. as believed by some .... then I look forward to seeing you again and cracking jokes together once more.

Until then - Rest in power Mr. Lee.

You are loved and appreciated; and will never be forgotten.

Your Friend Always,

- Aileen

Don was like family to me, and he treated me like family, from having me at dinner gatherings with his family, to doing work on my trailer for me, to my laughing along with him at some crazy incident that had happened. I’ve seen him always being there for his children when as adults they’ve needed help with different things. And he had a commendable history as a young man who exerted himself, even going far from home, to serve Jehovah. I can only say that I know that Jehovah will not forget what a person has done to serve him.

One of the most enjoyable times of my life was
when I traveled with Don, his son and my son
as we went camping,fishing and hiking
throughout California in the late 1980s and
early 1990s.    Also I will miss his laugh
Bob Stanfield

Dad as a young man you taught me determination, hard work and that family matters above all else. I thank you for that. I learned appreciation from a dad that provided for us. You labored all day at work and would still come home and help me with my homework. You made special trips to the Food Mill to ensure our school lunches were healthy and delicious. You taught me the importance of education! Every trip was filled with facts, history and adventure.

We had so many good times, memories, love that no one can take from me. I survived many things in life with the determination I learned from you. I understand that now that I'm grown with my own son. Thank you for teaching me to do things myself. Whether it was fixing broken items in our house or helping me learn to use your tools on the job, you always believed I could do it.

When Brandon was born you loved him as if he was your own son. You always wanted to spend time with him. You took him on many trips like Disneyland, Yellowstone and you even went on his school field trips. Seeing you as a grandfather reminded me of all the wonderful things you did with me as I grew up. Thank you for being Brandon's Grampy!

Through the years you went through many trying times. You always had a silly fun side that helped you pull through anything! You amazed me! So many things you taught me, but the greatest thing was that I knew I was truly loved by you!

Thank you Daddy for being there, always and forever!

I miss his monthly emails encouraging us "girls" to conserve water. I loved all his stories about his trips, Tanya's garden, their cat, Marsha, and the weather in Ukraine. I miss his silly voices, his sense of humor and his generosity. He took us along on family trips to places like the Grand Canyon that I would never have seen otherwise. He helped with trips to and from college, too. I will always be grateful he was part of my family.

I will miss you reminding me to turn off the lights when I leave a room. I will miss the way you covered your mouth when you laughed. I will miss your light hearted and silly nature. I will miss being able to ask you for advice. I will miss your picture taking. I will miss our day and weekend trips. I will miss our adventures traveling around the world together. I will miss being able to pick up the phone to call you. I will miss you sharing things through email that you thought were really cool and interesting. I will miss you always taking the opportunity to educate me on something new. There are uncountable things that I will miss. I will miss you!! There is no other Dad I would of rather had than you. I will remember your teachings. I will remember your hugs. I will remember your acceptance. I will remember your love! I will carry you in my heart every second of every minute of everyday. I love you Dad!

                   A Poem for My Dad

He never looks for praises

He’s never one to boast

He just goes on quietly working

For those he loves the most

His wants are very few

And most of the time his worries

Will go unspoken too

He’s there… A firm foundation

Through all the storms of life

A sturdy hand to hold

In times of stress and strife

A true friend we can turn to

When times are good or bad

One of our greatest blessings

The man that we call dad

“Dad,” By Karen K. Boyer