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Lee Paul Van Doren
1935 - 2013
Lee Paul Van Doren
1935 - 2013
Obituary
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Lee Van Doren Obituary
Lee was born July 5, 1925 to Raymond & Pauline Van Doren and grew up in Wiley City attending schools in West Valley and graduated from Yakima High School in 1953.
Lee was an educator, taught and coached for 10 years at Summitview Elementary before moving to the Yakima School District in 1967. He was at Whitney Elementary for many years before finishing his career at Wilson Middle School.
He was a member of the Army Reserves for seven years and a member and officer of the West Valley Fire Department for forty years. He was a lifetime member of NEA and had been active in Retired Teachers and a life time member of WEA.
Lee was a beloved husband and uncle. He is survived by his loving wife, Virginia; a sister Louise, her husband Wayne Worby, and their children, Lisa & Cody Freeze and Brad & Michelle Worby; sister-in-law Ellen Shalton, her children Angela Richardson & Julie Layman; sister-in-law Mary Deviny, her husband Jim, their children Chris & Greg Deviny and Susan Hinds; brother-in-law John Schmella, wife Sandy, their children Stewart Schmella & Tiffany Friday; nephews Andrew & Alex Richardson, Michael & Jacob Layman, Thomas Worby and Weston Freeze; and nieces, Anna Richardson and Emily Freeze.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Pauline Van Doren, and his nephew Patrick Deviny.
Lee was a very loving and generous "grandfather" to the Richardson and Layman children.
He was a member of Holy Family Church and one of its strongest supporters.
A Vigil will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at Keith & Keith Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday March 7th at Holy Family Church with burial following at Calvary Cemetery. To share a memory of Lee, visit www.keithandkeith.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
March 14, 2013
I was sorry to hear of Mr. Van Doren's passing. He was my 6th grade teacher at Summitview and one of the best and nicest teachers I ever had. Then later he was my daughter's teacher at Wilson.
Barbara Guilland
March 7, 2013
I was sad to hear of the passing of Lee. My thoughts are with Vriginia and all of their family. It's the loss of a good man who will be missed. Peace be with you all.
March 7, 2013
"I will remember Lee as a very kind and gentle man. Lee was my 6th grade teacher at Summitview Elementary. I will always remember his sweet smile, his firm but caring style of teaching and his love of children. I have known Virginia since I was a little girl as she is a special dear friend of my cousin Jeannie. Virginia and Lee - two of the nicest people and a perfect union."
God's Peace,
Barbara (Holme) Bolm
March 7, 2013
Virginia, We are so sorry for your loss. We will always remember Lee. He was a great neighbor and our friend and we will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now.
Roy & Novelyn Brandt
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Jeremiah & Marcy Webb
March 7, 2013
Our thoughts are with all those Lee left behind. Lee was a wonderful Godfather, will be missed greatly and remembered in our hearts forever.
Edna& Bill Hipner
March 6, 2013
To the family of Lee Van Doren we are so sorry for your loss, our prayers and thoughts are with all the family.we will aways remember Lee as a good friend and neighbor.
Karen Easley Perrault
March 6, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss of Mr. Van Doren. He was a very nice, kind man and I have good memories of him. God Bless you Virginia and may you find
strength, comfort and peace. Take care -
Jesse & Megan Webb
March 6, 2013
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Virginia and the family during this time.
Carol Ann Webb
March 6, 2013
So many wonderful memories of Lee. He and Virginia became lifelong friends as well as god parents to our two boys. Although Virginia was my 4th grade teacher, I always felt that Lee was as a big a part of my growing as she! He will be missed. Carol Ann (Parker) Webb
Doug Hausske
March 6, 2013
My thoughts are with Virginia and her family. Lee was one of the most wonderful people I worked with. He meant so much to me and his students. There are so many people in Yakima and around the world who are better people because of him. I'm sorry that I will miss his funeral as we will be leaving town tomorrow, but know that I will be thinking of Lee and of the many special memories with him at Wilson MS. Yakima has lost a very special gift this week.
Glenda Frazier
March 6, 2013
Mr. Van Doren was my 5th grade teacher at Whitney Elementary. I would see him now and again over the past 30 plus years and he would always remember me! He was a favorite teacher of mine and when I saw him at Old Country Buffet just a couple months ago, I told him so! He was an awesome teacher and I will miss running into him! My thoughts and prayers go out to his whole family.
Dorthy Hatfield
March 6, 2013
To the family of Lee Van Doren, We are deeply sorry for your loss, We are all in deep shock, But just remember Lee is not gone or forgotten, But in his journey through this life on earth he is at home with our heavenley Father,he is in the best place,the place that God has prepared for him,we all know that Lee believed deeply in the Lord. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all his family and friends, God bless you all.
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902 West Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA 98902
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