JEROME BURTON "JERRY" LEE

Richland, Wash.

Jerome 'Jerry' Burton Lee, 66, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2011, surrounded by his loving family after an 81Ú2 year battle with lung cancer.

He was born to Otho and Mildred Lee in Nashville, Tennessee, on November 23, 1944. Jerry married his faithful wife, Jeanene, on May 21, 1973. They made their home in Richland. They had one child together, Dana, in 1974.

He worked as a Senior Mechanical Designer. He worked as a contract employee for most of his career, before settling into a position with AREVA (formerly Siemens) where he continued to work part-time until his death. Jerry was very dedicated to his career and his work was well-respected in his field.

He fancied himself an audiophile, loved watching his beloved Seattle Mariners and helping his buddy Don run his Super Gas Camaro at the Drag strip. He was an avid bowler, elected as league secretary for several years, in addition to being on the local Bowling Association Board. Jerry was intrigued by cutting edge technology and always incorporated it into his other interests.

Besides working full-time as a Designer, he was also an entrepreneur on the side and started two companies that began out of dedication to his hobbies - a videoassisted bowling training business with his long time friend Jeff Britton in the 80's and then Halcyon Computer Services since the early 90's. While living on borrowed time, as his grandchildren grew older, he was able to pass along his interests to his two loving grandsons, Chris and Brandon, who lived with him during the entire course of his illness.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his brother, Bill Lee. He is survived by his wife, Jeanene, Richland, WA; brother John, Kennewick, WA; daughter and son-in-law Dana & Ryan Harris and their children Christian, Brandon, Jordan and Chelsea, Richland, WA and stepson Chuck Hodge and his children Ryan and Wyatt, Portland, OR; as well as countless friends, coworkers and extended family members.

The family would like to thank the Tri-Cities Cancer Center staff and the Hospice House nurses, CNA's, social workers and chaplain's for the kindness and skill they showed to Jerry. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request donations be sent to the TriCities Chaplaincy at the Hospice House in honor of the work they do. His son and daughter wish to recognize the devotion to which their mom, Jeanene, has faithfully cared for him over the course of his illness.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, March 19, please contact the family for more details.

Those wishing to sign the family's online guestbook may do so at www.legacy.com/obituaries/tricityherald/