Lee Holman

Lee Holman, 94, of Surprise, Ariz., former longtime resident of Moses Lake, passed away peacefully March 16, 2009, surrounded by his family.

Lee was born in Mt. Vernon, Wash., on Nov. 29, 1914, to parents Myhr and Clara Holman. Lee’s paternal grandparents came to the United States from Norway.

Lee had his first job at the ripe age of 7, of which he was especially proud. He worked in a restaurant to help support his mother and younger brother, Paul, in Stanwood, Wash.

As a young man, Lee was a member of the Merchant Marines. He always said he got to see the world and had a special remembrance of China.

Lee and his brother, Paul, owned an ice cream parlor in Seattle in the former Viewlands area and he loved his ice cream from that point forward, most generally choosing vanilla milkshakes.

Lee married Lillian Hagan in Everett, Wash. They were married for 64 years until her death in July 1999.

In March of 1950, Lee and Lillian welcomed their only daughter, Roddi.

In March of 1953, Lee, Lillian and Roddi packed up and moved from to Seattle to the Columbia Basin to begin farming. They bought land in Block 42 and a new adventure began, one which they thought would last about one year and then they would likely return to Seattle. As Lee told it, he didn’t know what farming was but before he knew it, he was driving a tractor and was named Farmer of the Year. Lee farmed his own land as well as farming with his brother, Paul, forming Holman Brothers.

Lee and Lillian were members of the O’Sullivan Dam Grange for many years and Lee held the title of Master of the Grange for several years.

Lee, Lillian and Roddi were members of the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church.

Lee and Lillian were both very passionate in their love of golf. They were literally ground breaking members of the Moses Lake Golf and Country Club, as they were with the first group of members to rake and pick rocks to establish the golf course.

Lee and Lillian loved to dance and were members of the Over-The-Hill Dance Club. Following Lillian’s death, Lee lived at Monroe House Assisted Living and was a much sought-after dance partner.

In retirement, Lee and Lillian would spend about two months each year at their condo in Hawaii. They had a delightful time golfing, dancing and enjoying the island way of life with their friends from childhood, who also traveled to Kauai at the same time.

Survivors include: daughter, Roddi Jess, and husband, Bud of Surprise, Ariz., grandson, Cody Jess, of Phoenix, Ariz., granddaughter, Krista Ochoa and husband, Cisco, of Surprise, Ariz., granddaughter, Kamee Blanco, and husband, Frank, of Phoenix, Ariz., great-granddaughters Lilliana, Gracie and Olivia Ochoa, of Surprise, Ariz., great-grandson, Joaquin Blanco, of Phoenix, Ariz., and special friends, Vic and Leanne Bunn, of Oroville, Wash.

Lee was preceded in death by his wife Lillian, his parents, step-father George Ware, step-mother Mae Holman, brother Paul Holman, Sr., and his wife Ruth Holman, and many aunts and uncles.

Lee loved “his” Moses Lake. This was his home and he felt there was no better place to live. Every year that he was in the Columbia Basin brought him great happiness.

You were a real gentleman, Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa and special friend. You were a dignified man as honest as could ever be found, a gentle man who was a generous friend to all, a man remembered by his twinkling blue eyes and white moustache.

Until we meet again, Uffda!

No services will be held at Lee’s request.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lee Holman’s name to:  Hospice of the Valley, c/o Just A Note Program, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. If you’d like to share a story about Lee, please e-mail Roddi at jellebeany@msn.com.