Donald Ray Lee was born May 28, 1938 in Three Rivers Michigan, the son of Arthur Ray Lee and Fern E. Westphal Lee.  They lived on the Lee Family Farm near Chamberlain, in St. Joseph County.  Arthur farmer the family farm.  Don attended grade school at the Edward Corners, a one room county school and  graduated from Marcellus High School in May 1956.  While in high school, he was on the football and basketball team.  He also worked for Chet Cities Service Station owned by Chet Emmons.  Don attended Michigan State University and graduated from a short course in engineering.  For a time, Don worked for his uncle Don Westphal at the Westphal Oliver Dealership.  In 1958, Don began working for the Eaton Corporation.  This was the beginning of a long career with Eaton.  He married June Jean Heimbuch on May 30, 1959.  For a number of years Don and June and their family lived in Kearney, Nebraska where Don was employed by Eaton. They retired to Troutman, North Carolina and later moved to Garner, North Carolina where their daughter Dorinda lives.  Don and June had 4 children.  Don loved his family, sports, bowling, camping, fishing and telling stories. He was a talented mechanic and could fix almost anything.  He was a patient and teaching father. In his later life he loved to tell old stories and reminisce about his family and heritage.  He even was able to make a trip back to Michigan last summer with his special friend Linda Sabino and visit about his ancestry.
Don is survived in death by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren:  son Donald Ray Lee Jr., wife Amy grandchildren Brittany Joy Miller (Ryan) and Donald Lee III, daughter Dorinda Jean Carter, grandchildren Kayla Lopez and Keri Lopez, son James Allen, wife Heather grandchildren Kenny Lee (Monica-great grandchildren Ayden Lee and Nova Lee), Trevor Lee (Daisie), Trayton White, Kaitlyn Lee and Neva White, and son Lonnie Edward Lee grandchild Tricia Lee-great grandchild Raelynn.  He is proceeded in death by his wife June Lee, his son in law James Carter, his parent Arthur and Fern, his granddaughter Vickie Lee Vargas and her husband Alex Vargas as well as many cousins, uncles, aunt and friends.
A celebration of Dons life will be on February 11, 2022 at the Garner Church of Christ.  Address is 1364 Benson Rd., Garner, NC 27529 at 11:00 am.