Donald J Lee

Donald “Don” Jack Lee

Donald “Don” Jack Lee, born January 28, 1932, at the family ranch house in Goldendale, Washington, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2026, in Moscow, Idaho, surrounded by his family, including his loving wife of 67 years.

Don’s story began on a ranch in the 1930s and 40s. He rode his horse to school, lived without electricity until he was 14, and learned early that if something needed to be done, you figured it out yourself and did it - a mindset he carried throughout his life.

He graduated from Goldendale High School in 1949, worked briefly as a ranch hand, then enlisted in the Navy, serving in Hawaii during the Korean War. After his service, he attended Washington State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture in 1958 and an M.S. in Animal Science in 1960. While at WSU, he rode broncs on the rodeo team and bought his future wife’s engagement ring with his winnings.

Don earned his PhD in Biochemical Nutrition from the University of Illinois in 1965 and moved his family to Corvallis, Oregon, where he worked in Food Science at OSU. His research identifying aflatoxin characteristics in peanut molds helped eliminate a major cancer risk and made peanuts and peanut butter safer for consumers.

In 1975, Don returned to WSU as Assistant Director of Agricultural Research. In 1984, he took a two-year leave to serve as Director of a USAID program in Lesotho, Africa, advancing agricultural practices in crop production and animal husbandry.

He later served as Chair of the Food Science Department at WSU until retiring in 1996.

In retirement, Don lived in Port Townsend, enjoying fishing, crabbing, and exploring the Olympic Peninsula before returning to Moscow, Idaho, where he remained until his passing.

Don was a loving and gentle man with a dry sense of humor and a lot of bad dad jokes. He believed most problems could be solved with thought and effort, often reminding his children that modern conveniences aren’t always necessary.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Quaife) Lee; his brother Robert Lee and sister-in-law Jane; his children, Patricia Lee, Jerry Lee and wife Carrie (Guido), and Deborah Lee; his grandchildren, Alicia Lee and Lindsey Lee; great-grandchildren Isabelle and Adrienne; and, was a surrogate grandpa to Skye Mericle (Gardner) and her children, Maeve and Lance.

At Don’s request, no memorial service is scheduled at this time. He will be laid to rest at the family ranch in Goldendale, Washington, alongside Carolyn when her time comes. A joint celebration of life will be held at that time.