In Memory

George Lee

George Patrick Lee 1943 ~ 2010 George Patrick Lee, 67, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center after a long battle with many physical ailments. George was born March 23, 1943 in Towaoc, Colorado to Jaaneez Yee Biye (Son of Donkey Man) and Asdzaa Lichii (Red Woman.) He was Tódích'íinii, born for Kin Yaa aanii. As a young boy, George attended Shiprock Boarding School before becoming one of the first Navajos in the Placement Program of the LDS church, living with the Harker family in Orem, Utah. He attended school in Orem while returning to the Navajo Reservation for the summer. George served as class and student body president, played sports and excelled at everything he put his mind to. Early on, he showed his dynamic personality by giving stirring talks that were completely memorized while still a youth. After graduating high school, George served as a missionary in the Southwest Indian Mission, which he would later return to as Mission President in 1975. He was the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships that helped him earn his B.S. from BYU, Masters from Utah State University and finally his Ed.D. in Educational Administration from BYU. He was the first Native American to get a Doctorate degree from BYU and later served as the President of the College of Ganado and Principal at Tuba City High School in Arizona. He married Katherine Hettich, a Comanche from Oklahoma in 1967 and they had seven wonderful children together before divorcing in 1996. He was a strong member of the LDS church and served in various church positions before being called to the newly formed First Quorum of the Seventy by President Spencer W. Kimball at the age of 32. George was the first Native American General Authority in LDS church history. He was a dynamic speaker, leaving impressions upon people even years after hearing him speak. George loved God, his people and family. He loved basketball and fishing, often shooting "hoops" with his boys while still in his suit after work-He was a deadly 3 point shooter. Summers often brought fishing trips and excursions to the reservation. He loved his people dearly and even ran for Navajo Nation Tribal president in 1994. He is survived by his seven children, Dwayne, Chad, Tricia, Robyn, Todd, Scott and Jacob along with 15 grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Lucy and Bob. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-sister Nelli, step-brother Mike, brothers Joey, Pat, Clifford and grandson Jerym Lee. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3rd at the LDS Washington Buena Vista Stake Center on 860 North Fairway Drive, Washington Utah. A viewing will be held at 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, August 2nd at the Spilsbury Mortuary located at 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Ut. There will also be a visitation time prior to the funeral on Tuesday, 9:30 to 10:30 am at the stake center. Interment will take place in the Washington City Cemetery, Washington, Ut. Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, St. George, UT, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign the guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com



 
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10/09/11 10:04 AM #1    

Randall Knight

I remember going to Lincoln Jr. high (7 grade) with George; espically industrial arts class.  We were given an assignment to carve a landscape out of a bar of Ivory soap.  George carved a fantastic yard with a fenced wall around a hogan dwelling with an out building.  Obviously he got an A+ on that assignment along with the envy of the rest of class for his artistic ability.  I enjoyed his friendship in the classes we had together and always read anything printed in the news about his career.

Randall Knight


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