Donald F. Lee

Donald Frederic Lee passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 3, 2024, at the age of 87 after living with Alzheimer’s disease for more than fifteen years.

Don was born in Anaheim, CA on July 8, 1937, to Fred and Leva Lee. He grew up in Anaheim with his older brother John and younger brother Tom. The family attended First Baptist Church.

Don graduated from Anaheim Union High School (AUHS) in 1955. During his high school years, he was active in student government, the tennis team, and played clarinet in the marching band. He also worked at Jackson Drug. It was during his time at the drugstore that Don decided to pursue a career in pharmacy.

Don continued his studies at the University of California (CAL) and earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UCSF in 1961. After briefly working as a pharmacist in Anaheim, Don was drafted into the US Army in 1962 and was stationed at Fort Lewis (Tacoma, WA). One Sunday morning, while looking for the local Baptist church, Don came across the Little Church on the Prairie (Lakewood, WA) and decided stop in. That was the day he met Mary who was working at the church in Christian Education. The pastor’s wife met Don, decided he was too old for HER daughter, and sent a member of the youth group to tell Mary to “come quick…there’s a single man from California!” The two dated, fell in love and were married on June 6, 1964, at Eastside Presbyterian Church in Stockton, CA. Don and Mary returned to Anaheim, where they built their life and family together. Don worked as a pharmacist - ultimately acquiring Jackson Drug (which they owned and operated for over 30 years).

Family, friends, faith and community were always important to Don. Despite working long hours at the drugstore, Don was very committed to his community. He was active in the AUHS Alumni Association, held leadership positions in the Lion’s Club and at church (First Presbyterian, Santa Ana, CA). In their early years, Don and Mary co-led the high school Sunday school group; later Don served as a Stephen Minister. Don also loved to be on stage and enjoyed performing in several productions, including with the Santa Ana Main Street Players. Don always made time for family and friends. He would often show up at the kid’s school during his lunch break to see one of their sporting events.

Don and Mary had a true gift for hospitality. They opened their home to exchange students from Japan, Germany and Denmark – and over the years, they hosted hundreds of people at their home in Anaheim, always making visitors feel welcome and comfortable. Don and Mary would frequently invite their extended family, church family and friends along on vacations traveling to destinations including New England, Virginia, the Mississippi River, Puerto Rico, the Holy Land and Alaska.

Don was always the life of the party and was quick with a story or joke. He brought joy and laughter to all – and had a special fondness for entertaining the little ones and making them giggle. Don was always up for an adventure and would never say no to an ice cream cone or a sweet treat.

Don is survived and will always be remembered with love by his wife, Mary (Latimer) Lee, his children, Paul Lee (wife Laurel) and Cathy (Lee) Springer (husband Ralph); his granddaughters Shayna & Alysha Lee, Ava & Mary Springer, and siblings John & Tom Lee (wife Kris); and many family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://alz.org.