Donald Eugene "Don" Lee

Donald Eugene Lee, of Leawood Kansas, joined Kathy, his wife of 48 years, in heaven on February 1, 2021.

Born January 15, 1945 in St. Joseph Missouri to Francis and Vena Lee, Don had an active childhood as the youngest of 4 siblings. In 1955, he moved with his family to Washington DC, as his father was promoted to a position with the US Department of Agriculture. Don kept himself busy with Boy Scouts and swimming, ultimately working as the manager/lifeguard instructor at his local pool. He attended Kemper Military Academy in Booneville Missouri, where excelled at marksmanship and swimming setting several records that he held for multiple decades. After graduating, Don worked in restaurants in northern Virginia and later Ft Lauderdale Florida, where he worked on getting scuba certification to depths of 190 feet. After moving back to Virginia, Don joined the Army Reserves. He was in the reserves for 2 years, and it was during this time that he ended up meeting his future wife at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Don’s nephew, Jon, was getting treatment for his cystic Fibrosis; Kathy was his nurse. They dated for the summer, and then Kathy shipped off to Vietnam for a year. They kept in touch but ultimately when she came back, she broke it off. Don asked her several times to marry him, and each time she refused. He finally said she was going to have to ask him, which she ultimately did on February 29, 1972. They were married on August 13, 1972 in a Catholic cathedral, but with both a Baptist preacher and a Catholic priest. They settled in northern Virginia, and raised two boys, Andy in 1975 and Ryan in 1977. He had his own business, Don Lee Draperies, from 1973 to 1990, making custom window coverings for a wide range of clients, including Congressmen. In 1990, he moved his family across the country to Blue Springs Missouri, to be closer to his family. During the next 2 decades, he worked many jobs, including pharmaceutical delivery, low voltage electricity, and access controls. He worked in Kathy’s office at the Kansas City VA hospital, supporting her work as a veteran service officer.

He was very active in his church and their choir, as his faith was of the utmost importance. He was a member of the NRA, Sons of the American Revolution, and was a registered Republican. His interests included Bertha, his military Jeep, which he proudly used in any parade, woodworking, war history, and the genealogy of our family. He was a member of VFW Post 30 auxiliary for many years. He doted on his wife and his grandchildren, and carried around their pictures in his shirt pocket, ready to show anyone his pride and joy. Kathy and Don were nearly inseparable - one was rarely seen without the other. In later years, Kathy battled a particularly difficult cancer and Don was her caregiver for 6 years, never once letting anyone take the lead. His dedication to her was the hallmark of who he was- giving, loving, dedicated. He was always happy to help anyone who needed it, and if the world can learn anything from him, it is that.

He was preceded in death by his wife and love of his life, Kathy in 2020, as well as his sister Ruthann.

He is survived by his sons, Andy and Ryan, his daughter-in-law Angela, grandchildren Emma, Roman, Cydney, and Ryker, sisters Alice Hamilton and Judy Terry, and a large extended family.

We ask that in lieu of flowers, please make a comparable donation in his name to the National Cancer Society, or any cancer organization of your choice.

A visitation will be held on Monday, February 8, from 6-8pm, at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St. in Independence. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 9, at 10am, at the chapel. Due to county restrictions, seating is limited; the service will be livestreamed via Speaks Chapels Facebook page, as well as video recorded and posted to Don's page at www.speakschapel.com. Interment with full military honors will follow the service in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville where he'll be laid to rest next to his wife.

Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600