Lee died June 17, 2009, at his home in Lake Fork, Idaho. He had a 39-year career with the U.S. Forest Service and jumped at McCall 1969-76. After jumping, Lee became the Assistant FMO at the Big Creek Ranger Station and retired in the same capacity on the Krassel Ranger District. Lee spent 37 years on the Payette Ski Patrol and was awarded a Purple Star for saving a life in 2006. He loved hunting and the outdoors and liked to pass on his knowledge of hunting and traditional archery.