Eleazer Asay “Lee” Despain passed away February 15, 2019 at Chandler House. He was the second of eleven children born to William Quayle and Mary Asay Despain in Lovell, Wyoming on Feb. 23, 1930. After graduating high school in Lovell, he was drafted into the military during the Korean War. After his service time he entered Utah State Agriculture College where he earned a degree in Agronomy. Upon graduating he accepted a position with the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a soil conservationist. His first assignment was in beautiful Chinie, Arizona. He spent the next 30 years working with several different tribes, the last one on the Yakama Reservation.
Lee married Carolyn Tingey on September 20, 1957 in the Logan, Utah, temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have been married for 61 years. To this union was born four children: Patricia (Doyle) Smith, Steven (Ramona) Despain, Rodney Eric (Synde) Despain and Douglas Jay (Kim) Despain. He is survived by these children, 15 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren. He is also survived by eight of his brothers and sisters.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in several bishoprics, and twenty years as a scout master.
There will be a time of visitation for Lee in the Relief Society Room Friday, February 22, 2019, starting at 9 am. This will be followed with a service at 11 am. Services are at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, 4307 Englewood Ave., Yakima, WA 98908.
To share a memory of Lee you may go to www.keithandkeith.com.