Donald George Lee

Donald George Lee, loving husband and father passed away January 31.

Don was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 8 November 1941 to Ann Vereschak and Donald E. Lee.

Don leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Roberta, daughter Georgia Lee, son Jason Lee, granddaughter Hayley Lee, and grandson Zackary Beakley.

As an only child, Don was amazed at acquiring a “new” family when he married Roberta.  He cherished their friendship and camaraderie of Roberta’s siblings, their spouses, and families, Dee and Art Eltzroth (deceased), Betty and Tom Lavoncher (deceased), Judie and Phil Correll, Sandy and Dale (Bud) Thompson, Debbie and Len Minco.

Don moved from Pennsylvania to numerous cities in New York before settling in Indiana.  He graduated from Greenfield High School and then received a medical degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.  He did an internship at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana where he met Roberta.  Following his internship, he was drafted, being sent to Vietnam as Navy Lieutenant assigned to the 2/1 Marines.  He served at Phu Bai, DaNang and Con Thien during the Tet offensive.  After his tour of duty, he was stationed at Yokosuka, Japan Naval Hospital where Roberta was stationed as a Navy Nurse.  While in Japan, he was assigned to administer anesthesia and discovered his calling of anesthesia leading to a residency at Parkland Hospital in Dallas where he was discharged as a LCDR.

From Parkland, he began his private practice in Harlingen.  Don administered/participated in the very first open heart surgery in the entire Valley.  His career spanned forty years.

A sailor, a musician, car enthusiast, a model train collector, and thespian; never half way, he threw himself into everything 110%.

His sense of humor, pipe smoking and fun loving enthusiasm will be sorely missed.

At this time no service will be held, a Celebration of Life is tentatively planned for June.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Indiana University School of Medicine, 1100 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-5209, Harlingen Boys & Girls Club, 1209 W. Washington Ave.  Harlingen, Texas 78550, or Spondylitis Association of America, 16430 Ventura Blvd, Suite 300, Encino, California 91436.