George Raymond (“Ray”) Lee passed away July 29, 2013, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene. He was born in High Point, N.C., on Oct. 16, 1931, to Willard and Harriet Lee. The family returned to Coeur d’Alene in 1934 for a brief period of time before moving to California.

After high school in 1948, Ray enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Japan assigned to the 25th infantry Division with the World War II occupation forces and during the Korean conflict. Ray’s professional career included a five-year assignment as high school instructor with the Glendale California Unified School District from 1955 to 1960. Ray married Marilyn, the love of his life, Nov. 26, 1960, and they raised four children, Sandra, Lorraine, Jeff and Robert.

Having completed his undergraduate studies with a major in public administration and American law and procedure at La Salle University, he pursued a career in Municipal management that included managing three cities in Arizona — Sierra Vista, Apache Junction and Wickenburg, Ariz. During this time, he completed University credits at University of Arizona, Central Arizona, Cochise College and University of California toward graduate degrees. His past experience includes serving on the Governor’s Purchasing Review Board and Lobbying for Municipal issues with the Arizona State legislature.

Having retired in Arizona in 1983, he returned to Coeur d’Alene and worked in the Commercial Division at the Assessor’s office and was elected Kootenai County Assessor in 1998, serving a four-year term until he decided it was time to retire.

Ray is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889.

His wife, Marilyn, preceded him in death in 2010. He is survived by his children: Sandra L. Coultrap of Liberty Lake, Wash., Lorraine R. Williams of Los Banos, Calif., Jeffrey R. Lee of Coeur d’Alene and Robert R. Lee of Coeur d’Alene; 11 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. A graveside service with military honors will be held at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, following the service. Please visit Ray’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.