Lewis Lessard Rees

Lewis Lessard ReesDecember 20, 1927- October 26, 2023Lewis Rees passed away in Lake Oswego, OR with his family by his side. Hewas born in Vancouver, WA. A World War II veteran, he graduated early fromWahkiakum High School in Cathlamet, WA and at age 17 enlisted in the UnitedStates Navy. He proudly served aboard the USS Dixie and USS Control andwitnessed two atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific.He married Dolores (Dolly) Crabb following his service in 1948. Theyremained married and devoted to each other for over 73 years until her passingin 2022. After briefly living in Alaska, Lewis settled in Vancouver, WA and worked forCrown Zellerbach for the remainder of his career. He rose to the executive ranksand upon promotion to Operations Manager he was transferred with his familyof five children to Southern California. He was great family man and enjoyedtreating his children to beach trips, visits to the zoo, Disneyland and otherattractions.Shortly before retirement, Lewis ttransferred back to Vancouver, WA where heavidly collected and grew dozens of rhododendrons and dahlias.Lewis and Dolores traveled the world together, visiting every continent exceptantarctica. Many of their journeys were aboard ships of various types as Lewiswas always fond of the sea. Lewis and Dolores wintered in Arizona for many years and eventually movedfull time to Fort Mohave where they enjoyed the desert sun and livedindependently until 2022. He is survived by his step brothers Phil (Marcia) Doumit of Flagstaff, AZ; Milt(Carolyn) Doumit of Cathlamet, WA; and five children and their spouses --Kathy and Al Salle of Vancouver, WA, Judy and Robert Cole of Brush Prairie,WA, Louis and Kris Rees of Hemet, CA; Kenneth and Lori Rees of Camarillo,CA, Donald and Colette Rees of Portland, OR; grandchildren, David (Anita)Rees of Temecula, CA, Brian (Katie) Rees of Flagstaff, AZ, Jack Rees ofPortland, OR, and Elizabeth Rees of Portland, OR; four step-grandchildren andeight step-great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Nathan Rees and Marie LessardDoumit. He is buried at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver, WA. His family isgrateful for him always being there for his wife and for all five kids (even whenhe was 95 he still referred to his children as "the kids").

Lewis Lessard Rees

December 20, 1927 - October 26, 2023