George Atwood Lee

George Atwood Lee of Maltby passed away at age 98 on August 14, 2021, at Overlake Hospital, Bellevue, WA. Born in the Snohomish Hospital on June 24, 1923, to George Olin and Elmina Atwood Lee, his formative years were spent in Prosser and Maltby.

He graduated from Bothell High, where he was Senior Class President and a basketball star. He followed those accomplishments with a degree in Engineering for Washington State College. Later, he worked at Boeing, then served with the 127th Airborne Engineer Battalion of the 11th Airborne Division Paratroopers in the Pacific Theatre and Atsugi Bay, Japan, before discharge in 1945 after three years of service.

He moved his bride Phyllis Gillis into the house he built in 1956 and became a third-generation owner of the huge red barn that stands along Maltby Road. George tended the farm helping his daughter Anne raise 4H award winning pigs, and sold produce from garden and orchard, while employed at Western Gear. His family was active in the First Congregational Church of Maltby, The church was founded by his grandparents and Bear Creek Grange and co-founded by his parents.

George was an avid golfer and spent several winters in Apache Junction, Arizona soaking up the sun while chasing that little white ball with his good friend Jim Skog. He kept a small trailer in the shadow of the Superstition Mountains and never missed a chance to visit the local VFW post or play a round of shuffleboard with his neighbors.

A devoted father and husband, he lived his life in service to God, family, and others before himself. When not tending to his garden he could be found working at the church or helping a friend with projects, keeping a selfless attitude, and always working with a smile on his face showing the depth of his giving soul.George led by example and worked hard, only relaxing when the job was done.

George is survived by his son Michael and daughter, Anne Phillips, 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.