Byron Albert Lee

Captain Byron A. Lee, USN (Ret.), November 14, 1927 - December 9, 2025. Captain Byron A. Lee, USN (Ret.), passed away on December 9, 2025, in Annapolis, Maryland, after a long and wonderful life marked by devotion to family, friendship, and service to his country. Byron was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna Christy Lee of 54 years. He is survived by three daughters, Valerie Sprankle (Ken), Kathryn Lee, and Meg Lee; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Byron grew up in Longmont, Colorado. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a seaman while simultaneously applying for an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Following boot camp, he received his appointment and attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in Bainbridge, Maryland. He graduated with distinction from the Naval Academy in 1950 and later earned his Masters and Professional degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Captain Lee served three tours of duty during the Korean War-one aboard the USS Leyte (CV-32) and two aboard the USS Hanna (DE-441), where he served as Gunnery Officer. The USS Hanna was struck by enemy gunfire and initially reported as sunk; Captain Lee was wounded in action and subsequently awarded the Purple Heart. He later served as Main Propulsion Assistant aboard the USS Midway (CV-41). Much of his career was devoted to nuclear power design and construction. He worked on Admiral Hyman Rickover's staff as systems engineer for the USS Enterprise, was stationed in Newport News during the ship's construction, and later returned to Naval Reactors to plan its refueling. As a Captain, he served four years as Nuclear Power Superintendent in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and later as Technical Manager at the Naval Sea Systems Command, contributing to the design of the USS Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. After retiring from the Navy in 1974, Captain Lee worked for twenty additional years with MPR Associates, an engineering firm specializing in commercial nuclear power. He was also the author of two published books. One documented the history of Parkhurst, an 1850 manor house in Harwood, Maryland that Byron and his wife Donna lovingly restored and realized as their dream home for 30 years. His research enabled him to secure Parkhurst's designation on the National Register of Historic Places. His second book chronicled the life of Commodore Mayo; through his meticulous research and advocacy, Captain Lee was instrumental in the subsequent overturning of a formal dismissal (the equivalent of a dishonorable discharge) issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861. Following Donna's death, he moved to the Ginger Cove Retirement Community in 2007, where he quickly became a well-known and active presence, holding numerous leadership positions and enjoying one of his favorite pastimes-croquet-through participation in tournaments against teams from the U.S. Naval Academy, St. John's College and many more. He remained deeply engaged in the life of the community, serving as President of the Poetry Club, Imperial Wicket of the Ginger Cove Croquet Club, and founder of the Senior Olympics at Ginger Cove. Byron's request for cremation has been honored, and a celebration of life will be held in the Spring of 2026 at the United States Naval Academy. His final resting place will be the Columbarium in the Naval Academy Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Hospice of the Chesapeake, the United States Naval Academy, or the Ginger Cove Foundation. Expressions of sympathy may be sent directly to the Family, c/o Meg Lee, 13134 Muirfield Ln, Berlin, MD 21811.