Leamon Leonard Dorrance III

Lee was born January 20,1937 to Lee Jr and Dorothy Jane Dorrance in St Louis, MO. He served in the Marine Corp for 22 years, retiring as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in 1980. He met Sharon Ann Clemensen in 1973 on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. He later married "His Bride" on July 26, 1975 in Las Vegas, NV. They shared a love of flying an open cockpit biplane that they both piloted. Over the years they flew from coast to coast. They also loved driving and drag racing vintage cars. Lee is survived by his Bride of 48 years Sharon Ann Dorrance. His children Eric Lee Dorrance, Deborah Satterfield, Cheryl House and Dina Chandler. Eleven grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

We moved to Chewelah on advice from friends. Built our home at CG&CC along the runway. We flew and enjoyed the beauty of Washington, Montana and Idaho. When flying had to end Lee took up his first love drag racing vintage cars. His favorite 1957 GMC truck, He enjoyed driving on a daily basis He also has a 1955 Red and White Belair hard top. With his love of going fast both of the beloved vehicles were built to go fast. We raised our children in Southern California where we met fell in love and lived for 18 years. We met when he was stationed at Santa Ana Marine Corp base radar training station.

Lee Dorrance was my Dad by choice. He chose to be my dad through the good and the bad times. He never wavered. He was there during some of the most difficult times in my life. Always supporting me making sure I knew he loved me. He treated me the same as he did his biological son. He meant the world to me. With his passing, the thing I will miss the most is the conversations we had and the times we shared a drink together. My dad loved enjoying a good vodka cocktail. It was one of his favorites. I loved trying to find a vodka that he could taste the difference by doing a blind taste test. It became a challenge that I looked forward to every time I came to visit. They're is now a big hole in my heart. I miss him so very much. I love you Dad.

Sadly, late Saturday night my dad passed away unexpectedly. When I call him dad. I don't choose that word lightly. He wasn't my biological father but he was ALWAYS meant to be my DAD. He met my mom when I was only 5. A few years later he asked my mom to marry him. Knowingly signing up to be a parent to 3 young girls. We worked him hard over the years, but he stood strong and never gave up on us. He was always there for all of us. Walking me down the aisle when I got married. Holding me up when my daughter passed away. Carrying me when I couldn't stand in my own grief. Being my DAD. Loving me even when I was unlovable. He left this world peacefully in his home next to the woman he loved for over 50yrs. He was truly a wonderful man and I was blessed to be able to call him DAD