Lee Frees

Lee Vern FREES Lee Vern Frees went home to be with the Lord on September 1, 2004 as a result of a tragic accident. He was born on February 20, 1954 in Seattle, WA where he was raised by his parents, Jay and Verna Hotchkiss Frees. On December 20, 1980 Lee married the love of his life, Jean Shippee. They had two sons, Jordan and John whom he loved dearly and devoted himself to. As a young man Lee learned the plumbing business from his father in Seattle. He worked for Jay Frees Plumbing and Heating for fifteen Years. Fourteen years ago he started Lee's Plumbing Service in Skagit Valley where he was well known, respected and loved by all who came in contact with him. He was passionate about working hard and loved the opportunity to do it alongside his boys. Although Lee enjoyed his work here in the Valley, he really looked forward to the weekends spent at his home in Ocean Shores. There, he could relax watching storms. He found happiness in boating, fishing, kite flying, and target shooting with his boys and walking on the beach every morning with his wife, Jean and his dog Shadow. He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant son, Jared. He is survived by his wife, Jean of the family home, his sons, Jordan and John, his stepmother, Lissie Frees of Bothell, his sisters and brothers-in-law, Jayan and Clarence Westby of Marysville, Sheila and Jed Minton of Port Orchard, Verna and Ben King of Turkey, Meredith and Ron Rinehart of Arizona, a brother, Jay Jr. of Seattle and numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his father and mother-in-law John and Jean Shippee, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Joyce and Ken Willms, Joan and Ed Broeckel, Julie and Carl Van Der Pol, many more nieces and nephews and many other family and friends. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday September 11, 2004, 2:00 p.m. at Faith Community Fellowship Church at 1427 Monte Vista (Located 2.8 miles east of I-5 on College Way.) In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts or memorials to be made to World Vision at P.O. box 78481, Tacoma, WA 98481-8481, www.worldvision.org or to Lee's boys college fund, 4925 Monte Vista Place, Mt. Vernon, WA. 98273. Arrangements are in the care of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.