Gramps

This is my grandfather, Jon's pseudo grandfather, Cade and Jay's great grandfather.

What an amazing man.

Leo James Lee had a rough life. He was a rough and tumble catholic who eloped & converted to the church, a World War II vet who fought on the front lines and got shot with shrapnel,rolled logging trucks 2-3 times down mountains, got smashed by a 1 ton piece of equipment @55 yrs and shattered his pelvis...but still he lived.

He lived because he was supposed to.

Without him, we would not have the 4 children, 29 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren of his.

Including us.

We would not have the patriarch, the camp breakfast maker, the wood getter, the supporter (@ everything), the elephant ear booth starter, the temple worker, the geneology guru, the gentle, loving, kind man who showed us what kind of person we should be.

Brynne was able to grow up close to him. To have sleep overs, work with him in his shop, ride in his truck to camping trips, have him at her games, wedding, etc. etc. The last few months, as we watched his hard worked body deteriorate, we got to spend tender moments with him.

Our little family was able to see him in the hospital the last time he went in before he went home for his last days. Then Brynne and the boys stopped by the week of his passing, when he happened to be alone, in his home. She got to sit next to him, lay on his lap, and just talk to him. Cade and Jay were able to give him hugs, show him the toys they were playing with, and resist his tickles. And lastly, one last kiss and "I love you".

He will never be forgotten. We only hope to live as fully as he did.

Now we know he will be reaping his rewards of a great life,

and having a long-awaited reunion with his sweetheart, our grandmother, Fay.

"Until we meet again"...

June 7, 1926-March 9, 2011