Brian Ray Lee passed from this earth to his next great adventure on August 19, 2026, at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield, Oregon. He was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, on April 19, 1966, and graduated from Junction City High School in 1984. He worked at the family-owned Country Coach before becoming a long-haul truck driver and Bering Sea fisherman, catching Alaskan king crab and cod.

Brian often flew by the seat of his pants. In true Brian fashion, he once flew to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, without an assigned boat or even an interview, simply hoping to get hired—and he did. That first trip was sketchy, but as with anything he set his mind to, he mastered his fear, and the sea became one of his great loves.

Closer to home, Brian continued to find peace and enjoyment fishing a nearby pond or river whenever he could. He loved music, the night sky, fast cars, motorcycles, and snowmobiles, and he was an exceptional horseman. He enjoyed skiing and snowboarding and had an artistic streak that could be seen in his sketches.

Brian had an easy laugh, an incredible sense of humor, and a deep connection to his Native American heritage. He also had a passion for martial arts, competing and winning a Grand Master Championship.

He is survived by his son, Robert (wife Serena and twin granddaughters Aurora and Alara) Lee of Carson City, Nevada; fiancé Debra O’Hare, Junction City, Oregon; brother Ron (wife Marin and daughter Tanya) Lee, La Pine, Oregon; sister Rene (husband Timothy) Randall, Morton, Washington; nephew Craig Naquoa (wife Donna and son Nakai) Shuey, Albany, Oregon; and numerous cousins.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents and parents, Ronald Lee of Junction City, Oregon, and Sharon Meltzian of Chiloquin, Oregon.

A memorial service for Brian will be held on September 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Long Tom Grange, 25835 Ferguson Rd., Junction City, OR 97448.

Per his request, Brian’s ashes will be spread offshore in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, next year, returning him to the sea he loved so deeply.

Fly high, Brian. You are loved, and you are missed.