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John was deeply dedicated to the people he loved.

John Emerson Lee Sr., lovingly known as Johnny, passed away on September 9, 2026, in Longview, Washington, surrounded by family and friends after fighting a hard battle with terminal illness. He was born on October 1, 1942, and will be remembered as a devoted family man, a storyteller, a jokester, and someone whose presence brought warmth and personality to every gathering.

John was deeply dedicated to the people he loved. He and his wife, Ingrid Lee, shared 60 years of marriage, a lasting bond that was central to his life. Their many years together reflected the devotion they had for one another, and Ingrid cared for him with deep love throughout their life together.

John was a dedicated and faithful employee to Weyerhaeuser, where he retired after 30 years, and took immense pride in being well-liked and respected by his co-workers. This truly meant the world to him.

He found great joy in fixing up cars, especially his 1969 Chevelle, which he and his son, John Jr. spent countless hours working on. He also loved fishing and hunting with his close friend Theron Osborne, and spending time with family and friends. He loved music, especially country music, and often created his own songs out of the blue. John was known for telling stories from his life, and those who knew him could easily hear him begin with his familiar line, “hey, do you got a minute?” before launching into one of the many tales he loved to share. He had a natural gift for drawing people in with his stories and humor, and he was always ready with a joke. He also had a deep love for Butte, Montana, a place that held special meaning for him. Another simple pleasure he never passed up was a yard sale; if John saw a sign, he had to stop.

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Family meant everything to John.

Family meant everything to John. He loved his granddaughter Stacey Johnson deeply, and she was truly the apple of his eye. He would do anything for her. He also greatly admired his brother Fred Lee and sister-in-law Kathy Lee of Wenatchee, Washington, in which a special bond was shared over their lifetime.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Ingrid Lee; his daughter and son-in-law, Donna and David Spens; his granddaughter Stacey Johnson and her husband, Donnie Johnson; his great-granddaughter, Violet Johnson; his brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Kathy Lee; and his close friends Cindy Osborne and Sandy Moore, whose friendship was an important part of his life.

He was preceded in death by his sons, John Lee Jr. and Mark Lee; his father, Fred Lee Sr.; his mother, Pearl Lee; his brothers, Bob Lee, Bill Hillman, and Tom Lee; his sister, Brenda; and his close friend Theron Osborne.

A graveside service will be held on September 21, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Longview Memorial Park, 5050 Mt. Solo Road, Longview, Washington 98632. A reception is also listed at Steele Chapel, 5050 Mt. Solo Rd., Longview, Washington 98632.

John will be remembered for his love of family, his music, his stories, his humor, and the many moments of joy he brought to those around him. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.