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Raleigh Shaklee Obituary
(December 2, 1921 - September 23, 2013) passed away in Newport Beach, CA after a short illness. Born in Iowa, Lee was the younger son of Dr. Forrest C. and Ruth Shaklee and brother of Forrest Shaklee, Jr. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife Claire Ahern Shaklee in June of 2012 and by his son Rick in 1980. Survived by his daughters Laura Hughes of Santa Barbara, CA, Sandra Hughes of Alamo, CA, Karen White of Santa Barbara, CA, Valeria Nagy of Newport Beach, CA, and son Leonard Perillo of Oakland, CA. He is also survived by nine grandchildren.
Lee co-founded Shaklee Corporation with his father and brother in 1956. His father, Dr. Shaklee, was a pioneer in developing natural vitamin and nutritional products at a time when there was little understanding of the need and value of supplementation. As head of marketing for the Shaklee products, Lee encountered difficulties selling Shaklee vitamins through stores, and so developed a network marketing system of distribution, currently called "Social Marketing." Shaklee followed their early nutritional products with the first green household and personal care product lines and the company was proud of their byline, "Shaklee Products in Harmony with Nature."
Under the leadership of Dr. Shaklee, Forrest, Jr. and Lee, Shaklee Corporation grew from a small family firm into an international Fortune 500 Company that was traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Shaklee also owned and operated "Harry and David" and "Jackson and Perkins Roses and Plants" as subsidiaries. Shaklee was sold in 1989 and at that time Lee retired from his position as Chairman.
In retirement, Lee and Claire enjoyed living between Indian Wells and Newport Beach, CA. They traveled extensively throughout the globe and especially enjoyed the many cruises they took together. They loved ballroom dancing and enjoyed dancing well into their later years.
Lee was also a lifelong ham radio operator and in his later years built his dream ham radio facility on what he called "the perfect location" on a mountaintop that he acquired in Anza, CA. He built and was able to control and operate the complex facility from his home in Newport Beach and enjoyed countless hours communicating with other hams from all over the earth.
Lee was a spirited and deeply ethical man who was also very loving and generous. He and his wife Claire were longtime philanthropists and passionately supported numerous causes, organizations and individuals. Their support continues through a number of charitable trusts and endowments.
Lee enjoyed life and reflected this in all that he did. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Raleigh Shaklee
Sponsored by His Loving Children and Grandchildren.
Andre L Henriques
September 23, 2023
As time marches on the the Passion, Vision and Mission is needed even more today as we celebrate a life well lived, thanks to Dr. Shaklee and his wonderful legacy
Andre L Henriques
September 23, 2023
Joanne E Nistico
September 22, 2023
Time marches on, and we in the Shaklee field appreciate the legacy Lee and Dr. Shaklee have given the world with health-giving products and opportunities. The legacy continues-blessings to the family.
Rob and Janet Bell
December 8, 2013
Hello to the Shaklee family from Rob and Janet Bell of Wolf Creek, Oregon. We met your brother, Rick when he bought a painting from Rob out of Simmon's Gallery, Los Gatos. Rick then commissioned a portrait from Rob. Our remembrances of all of you is a lovely family, a tribute to your parents.
December 2, 2013
On what would have been your 92nd Birthday, I am very much missing you and deeply appreciating the gift of your being my chosen Father. Know that your love and goodness lives on through those of us that were fortunate to be your family. Cheers and love until we meet again.
Your Son,
Leonard Perillo
Theresa Smith
October 17, 2013
Thanks for your legacy.
God bless
R.G. & Anne Boone
October 15, 2013
What a privilege was our's to join the "Shaklee Family" in the '60's! The influence of this family on our lives has been truly a blessing! Our deepest sympathy to Lee's family!
Reed and Ellen Knackstedet
October 9, 2013
We didn't know Lee, but our lives and the lives of a great many we know have been forever enriched by Lee and the Shaklee Products and Phylosiphy
Judy Fraley
October 9, 2013
I am sorry to hear of Lee's passing. I send my sympathies to the family. Thank you for the legacy that was started and passed down. The family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Josephine + Ray Dye
October 8, 2013
We were vey blessed to have had The Shaklee family living in our life time. Thanks for all The Lord allowed them to share with America
Beverly Willingham
October 7, 2013
I am sorry for the passing of Lee Shaklee. What he and Brother and Father, Forrest C Shaklee did in forming Shaklee Corporation has touched miillions of people's live with health and an opportunity unsurpassed for personal achievement. I am most gratful. I wish Peace and Love to the Whole Shaklee Family.
Don & Ginnie Beaver
October 7, 2013
So sorry to hear of Lee's passing. We are very thankful for the legacy he and his family provided us. Our prayers go out to the family.
Tom & Barb Motta
October 6, 2013
Thank you for your contribution to humanity. It is our privilege and honour to represent this company founded by your family and carry on your legacy.
Carrol Thomas
October 5, 2013
I feel very blessed to have met him. My condolences to the family and friends. May your many loving memories give you joy!
Kathleen Buck
October 5, 2013
Thank you Lee for help creating the best products EVER!
Karen Sink
October 4, 2013
My deepest sympathy and love to family and friends of Mr. Shaklee. Thank you for sharing your lives with so many of us.
Madeleine Roger Trottier
October 4, 2013
have 47 years of wonderful memories having breakfasts with Dr.Shaklee and Dorothy. My sincere condolences to the family. -
Carol DeRose
October 4, 2013
Someone I never met, Mr Shaklee has had a profound impact on my life by his and his Father Legacy.
Thank you so much I am very sorry for your great Loss
Tammy Woolard
October 4, 2013
Someone I never met, Mr. Shaklee has had a profound impact on my life by his and his father's legacy. Thank you so much. I am very sorry for your great loss.
October 4, 2013
we appreciate the great role he played in building the Shaklee business. Many people loved him God bless
Melody McLaughlin
October 4, 2013
My deep sympathy to Lee's family. What a wonderful legacy!
Carole Engberg
October 4, 2013
I have 45 years of wonderful memories having breakfasts with Dr.Shaklee and Lee. My sincere condolences to the family.
October 4, 2013
Prayers to the family on the loss of Lee. We have been blessed to have had Shaklee in our lives for over 31 years. We honor and value what the Shaklee family has given to all of us.
Bob & Judy Sheehy Grosse Pointe Woods Michigan
October 4, 2013
Prayers to all on your loss. We thank God everyday for what the Shaklee family have done for our family and friends. We are honored to be part of Shaklee
Dr. John Westerdahl
October 4, 2013
I had the honor and privilege of meeting Lee several years ago when I served as Senior Nutritionist for Shaklee Corporation. He was a wonderful man. I appreciate all he did in working with his Father to help found a truly great company that changed the lives and improved the health of millions worldwide including myself. --Dr. John Westerdahl
JoAn Knudson
October 3, 2013
May Raleigh's family know and be comforted by our many expressions of gratitude for Raleigh's incredible legacy. Raleigh was truly an innovative man who, along with his father and brother, provided us with Shaklee products as
well as an ethical opportunity for anyone to achieve the American Dream.
Sondra Hine
October 3, 2013
Thank you Lee for all your help as we began our business in the 70's in Tulsa,Okla. Thank you for helping us have Shaklee Products.
Shirley Welder
October 3, 2013
God Bless the family of Lee Shaklee, hearing this news is almost like losing someone in my own family, he was such a blessing to so many people around the world, may he rest in peace! I know he will be missed by all who loved and knew him!
Joanne and Terry
October 3, 2013
Reflections on a Philosophy
Thank you Raleigh Shaklee for your inspiration and to your brother and father all being an inspiration to the foundation of a great company. We send our thoughts and prayers to your family.
Angelika Koinov
October 3, 2013
may you rest in peace. Thank you for all the hard work you have done to make Shaklee a success.
Rick & Marilyn Shaw
October 3, 2013
Thank you, Lee, for the heritage that you, your father, and your brother have given us, and all whose lives we touch - invaluable!
Aurelie & Jim Ward
October 3, 2013
We want to Thank You for your legacy
Ben and Catherine Peyton
October 3, 2013
Thank you for touching countless lives. Thank you for your contribution to humanity. What a privilege and honor to represent this company founded by your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Donald Parsons
October 3, 2013
My thoughts are with you today! I want to thank you and your family for what you have done for all of us in helping us to realize our dreams and to live in Harmony with nature. You will be forever in our memories.
Susan Buta
October 3, 2013
Just thanks Lee and family. I am your legacy and am forever grateful for you, your father and your brother. Bless all of you.
Mary Beth Potrykus
October 3, 2013
Lee was an amazing man and appears so much like his father, Forrest. I am a Shaklee distributor and very moved and inspired by Lee's story. Many blessings to Lee's family. Obviously Shaklee products have worked. Leaving this place and going to be with God at 91 is amazing.
Debbie Huett
October 3, 2013
Admiration, appreciation, & gradtitude to the Shaklee family from a Shaklee Senior Director. Our condolences.
Ruth Kneile
October 3, 2013
Blessings to the Shaklee family.
Marcia Flach
October 3, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the Shaklee family for your loss. Thank you Lee for your contribution to my life and the lives of my family & friends and so many people you have touched with the business you started with your father around your kitchen table so many years ago! WOW. You have touched many and your legacy will live on, hopefully forever!
Christene Ripley
October 2, 2013
God Bless You. You are in my heart and prayers and will always be remembered.
Michelle Cantrell
October 2, 2013
Please know that your Shaklee Corporation family embraces you during your time of loss. You may never know how much your family is a part of our families. May God comfort you now and always.
Connie & Steve Hudgins
Connie Hudgins
October 2, 2013
God's blessings & comfort to your family at this time of loss. I never met Lee but did meet Dr. Shaklee in 1978. I will forever be grateful for the impact Shaklee has had on my family & friends, having enjoyed the blessings of health & benefits of this business for over 35 years! What a wonderful legacy Lee, Forrest & Dr. Shaklee have left!
Lorraine & Ed Rutherfurd
Lorraine Rutherfurd
October 2, 2013
I will be forever grateful to Dr. Shaklee and his sons. I have had my Shaklee business for 42 years. Shaklee nutrition has saved my husbands life. The Shaklee family has made a big impact in thousands of peoples lives.
Kathy & Denny Tischler
October 2, 2013
Our deepest condolences to the Shaklee family. The legacy that Dr. Shaklee and his family have left with the Shaklee family in the field will be remembered forever.
Jeffrey Whittaker
October 2, 2013
Though I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr Shaklee or his sons, the products and company they started has helped me since 1982, could not imagine how I would feel without these great products and amazing company. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Shaklee family and your loss.
Susan Amine
October 2, 2013
I really wish I had the chance to meet you in person. You sound like such an amazing person just like your father. I chose to be a Shaklee distributor because I wanted to carry on Dr. Shaklee's legacy. Thank you for all you and your family have done for countless people and for Mother Nature, as well. You will always be in our hearts.
Mary Jo and Bill Geideck
October 2, 2013
Your Father, and you have had a profound effect on our lives. You were truly an example of a man of class. Our sincere condolences to your Family, May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
You will live in our hearts and prayers forever.
Judy Graves
October 2, 2013
May the Lord be with your family as you mourn the loss of Lee. Thank you for your family's committment to Shaklee that has blessed so many thousands of us that use the products that you developed. May you find peace in knowing that everything that he, his father and brother worked so hard to build will live on for years to come, adding health and joy to all who knew of them.
Joy Rodgers
October 2, 2013
Thank you Lee for all you have given. My condolences to the Shaklee family, I know he will be missed.
Copeland Billie
October 2, 2013
I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Shaklee and the "boys" in the early 1970's when I became a Supervisor. Shaklee changed my life. My heart goes out to the family.
October 2, 2013
Lee wil be missed. The legacy lives to infinity. Condolences the whole family.
Aimy & John Ross
Andre henriques
October 2, 2013
Thank you for the path you started in creating wonderful products and a viable opportunity. We will continue your original mission
Nancy Haines
October 2, 2013
Rest in peace, Lee. Thank you for your contribution to mankind. My deepest sympathy to the Shaklee family.
Etta and Marv Miller
October 2, 2013
We started using Shaklee Products in 1972 and have been Sales Leaders since 1976. Shaklee has blessed us in numerous ways since then. Thanks Be To God for The Shaklee Family!
Lisa Jo & Scott Johnson
October 2, 2013
So grateful for the legacy of integrity the Shaklee family has demonstrated through the years in both their lives as well as the company they built that benefits so many and will for generations to come.
Lorna Seifert
October 2, 2013
I am proud to be from Iowa, where the Shaklee story starts. You, the family of Lee Shaklee, have to be so proud of how many lives your family has touched.
Nancy Douglas
October 2, 2013
My husband and I were privileged to meet Lee Shaklee in 1985 at the New Supervisors Convention in San Francisco. He just began talking to us in a hallway and then asked if we would like a picture. I think I still have that picture. I never met Dr. Shaklee but felt as if I had after meeting Lee. What a blessing he was to everyone.
K S Lim
October 2, 2013
Thank you for providing such great opportunity , products and company. The SHAKLEE legacy shall continue.
Cheryl & Paul Legg
October 2, 2013
Our sympathy and prayers go out to the family in your loss. We join thousands of Shaklee members in appreciating what Dr Shaklee and his sons began so many years ago. I had the privilege of meeting Lee at one of the conferences years ago when I was quite young. I was always impressed with how approachable the Shaklee's were and their commitment to helping people toward better health and wellness. God Bless.
October 2, 2013
Thank you to you and your family for providing a wonderful opportunity for thousands of Americans. God bless you.
Steve & Jeanne Toocell
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