Marion Leland “Lee” Hart, age 77, was called to the Lord on March 12, 2014, at his home in Coupeville, WA surrounded by his loving family. Lee was born December 31, 1936 in Edgemont, South Dakota to Marion and Iris Hart. He was raised as the son of a railroad depot manager, living in Gillette, Monarch and Sheridan WY. He attended Sheridan High School and graduated from Campbell County High School in Gillette WY in 1955.

Following high school, Lee worked for a time at Standard Oil while attending college. He began a thirty-year career in the U.S. Army when he enlisted in 1957. In 1962, he married Aloha Gaylord in Casper, Wyoming. Lee’s career took a major turn in 1966, when he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army. His military service took him to Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Germany and numerous assignments across the U.S. He transferred to the Army Reserves in 1972 and retired on December 31, 1996 as a Lt. Colonel.

When Lee left active duty, he worked for a time as an IRS Agent and subsequently returned to the University of Wyoming, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He then began a second career in business, working for Bank of Commerce/First Interstate Bank in Sheridan from 1981-1985 . His next position was with Provident Federal Savings and Loan in Casper and then a major move to Washington State, where he worked for Sterling Healthcare Services, Bellevue, for 12 years. In 1999, Lee accepted a position at Everett Community College as an IT Technician and worked there until his retirement in 2004. In addition to his full-time positions, Lee also operated his own small business as a tax consultant, accountant and computer technician from 1985 to 2012. Lee and Aloha began looking for a quieter place to live and discovered a home in Coupeville in 2000. They spent their final working years commuting to the mainland while enjoying the quieter life of the island.

Throughout his adult life, Lee was an active member of several Lutheran churches, including Concordia Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor. Wherever he went, he willingly and joyfully sang in the choir, served in leadership roles, and assisted with facility upkeep. He also served as a former trustee of Hearthstone Retirement Community of Seattle. Not willing to sit idly in retirement, Lee found new interests. He became a docent at the Admiralty Head Lighthouse, a Waste Wise volunteer, and served on the Board of Lighthouse Environmental Programs. He enjoyed woodworking, reading, music, travel, and spending time with his family.

Lee is survived by his wife Aloha of Coupeville, three children and their spouses: Ross and Sherry Hart of Tunkhannock, PA, Patrick and Amy Hart of Kirkland WA and Jeff and Marianne (Hart) Lohr of Baltimore, MD. He is survived by sisters Judy Christensen, Melanie Palluck and Sarah Trowbridge and nine grandchildren: Dan, Kris, Alyssa, Geoffrey, Ashleigh, Kelsey, Griffin, Emma and Henry. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Gladys Williams and Marianne Gunsolus, and brother James Hart.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am Thursday, March 20, 2014 at Concordia Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor with Rev. Mark Hanson officiating. A reception will follow. The services will conclude with burial at at 1:30 pm at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville with military honors provided by the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor, Light House Environmental Programs, Admiralty Head Lighthouse or Lutheran Ministry Services of the Northwest.

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