Brian Kenneth Lee

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our father, Brian Kenneth Lee, on 01/18/2026 in Spokane Valley, WA. He was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 57 years, Mary Kathryn Lee and by his twin sister Beryl. He is survived by his sister Vicki, sons Aaron and Jason, and his sole grandson Shaun, along with numerous extended family and friends.

Brian was born on May, 12 1946, (sharing a Mother's day birthday with his grandson) to Alvin Kenneth Lee and (Dorothy) Imogene Birklid Lee. Brian grew up on the Kent East Hill, graduating from Kent Meridian High School in 1964. Not one to often talk of his youth, two stories often came up in conversation. He would speak fondly of hanging out with friends and driving the Renton loop on weekend nights. It wasn't until later years, he admitted to that it wasn't exactly the speed limit at which they drove. On the flip side of happy memories, he often spoke of his pet rabbit. He arrived home one evening to find the rabbit missing and a hammer on the top of the rabbit hutch. Legend has it the hammer was never found and Brian went without supper that night. Ironically, years later one of his proudest (or at least most talked about) pet moments was when his cat "Bob" caught a rabbit and drug it to the back door slider, where he proceeded to consume said rabbit over the next day.

After High School, Brian served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve during the Vietnam Conflict. He never spoke much of his service, other than he was stationed in Blytheville, AR and that there was almost literally nothing to do in the surrounding areas.

On August 10, 1968, he married Kathy. They briefly settled into a home in the Kennydale neighborhood of Renton, WA before purchasing the property they would call home for the next 50 years in 1974. Located in Maple Hills, Brian and Kathy built their lives and raised their children. Brian was very proud of his manicured yard and in the keeping of a tidy home. Over the years he tinkered with many hobbies including bringing back to life a rusted Shopsmith Mk V Saw (painted in glorious Seahawks colors), purchasing an old 4104 motor coach with the intent of converting it into a Class A motorhome (never completed :) ) and one of his most successful hobbies, growing prize winning Fuchsias as a member of the Eastside Fuchsia Society.

Brian had various jobs growing up including as a newspaper delivery boy, working at a local grocery store and his service in the Air Force. In the early 1970's he would be hired by Puget Power, now known as Puget Sound Energy, and go on to have a roughly 35 year career as an electrician. He was also proud of his work within his union (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) as a shop steward and a member of the Executive Board.

Lastly, Brian was a Seattle sports fan through and through. Especially so during the last few years of his life, when his health limited his mobility, but allowed him the time to watch nearly every Mariner, Seahawk, and Kraken game that was televised. He was able to watch the Seahawks beat the 49'ers in the NFC Divisional Playoff the evening before he past.

We were blessed to know his passing was near and that it was something he embraced. We were able to say our goodbyes and he was able to tell us it was what he wanted. He was sick and tired of being sick and tired and longed to join his beloved wife in the afterlife. Both will be missed always.