David Byron Lee

David Byron Lee left this world just before midnight on July 7, 2016 at the age of 52 after a long illness. He remained, as he has always been throughout his brief time on earth, a quiet warrior, and that strength will not soon be forgotten.

David was born on December 5, 1963 in Atlanta at Piedmont Hospital nearly a month early, which worried his mother, as he was just over 5 lbs. at birth. His lean frame plagued him through his graduation at North Springs High School where, to hear him tell it, he emerged looking like the 99-pound weakling in the Charles Atlas ad. However, with the help of a strict self-imposed workout regimen and his 30-year-long passion for playing ice hockey, he grew strong and healthy, and for the most part, remained mild-mannered and quiet – unless some unfortunate opposing player said something David found disrespectful, in which case that player found himself on the business end of one hell of a right hook. In addition to hockey, he loved hiking, playing tennis, jogging, and driving through the north Georgia mountains and beyond. He also loved chicken fried steak, anything his mother cooked (except stir-fry), and salt-and-vinegar potato chips.

David Lee was not one to judge, especially if you were lucky enough to be his friend. During his younger years, he might show up to a party just after a workout, while the rest of his friends were blasting Led Zeppelin in some parking lot. He never belittled or criticized, just enjoyed the friendships he developed over the years while playing drums in various bands, and he could head-bang with the best of them. Although David married later in life, he took to it like a champ, although his wife did have to get used to his penchant for telling the truth no matter what. If she did indeed look fat in that dress, she was going to hear about it. Upon his marriage, he became a stepfather, and recently, a grandfather, and he rose to the challenge without effort.

David has a new mission now, which comes with so many expected bonuses: He will be reunited with his father Lester and younger brother Tim as he begins a new journey, the wonder of which we can only imagine. He is on his way to a place where every breath he takes is free and easy, and he will never again feel pain, sadness or loss. A place where he can skate on an endless hockey rink with the wind in his hair, wearing his beloved Cobras jersey, and where every shot he takes goes right into the net. A place where he will always be young and handsome, eat as many fun-size candy bars as he wants, and wear that acid-washed jean jacket without his wife giving him grief. A place filled with laughter, pure love, and all of his favorite music, and where he can play drums with his brother until eternity.

David is survived by his wife, Rebecca (Beth) Healy Lee, and his mother, Earlene Marshall Lee, both of Marietta, Georgia. He also leaves behind many beloved family and friends, all of whom will remember a man who never met a stranger, who thought before he spoke, and who loved his family, including his stepson Jack, daughter-in-law Sibel, and new grandson Jacob fervently and unconditionally. With his quiet, non-judgmental demeanor and kind heart, he touched the lives of all he encountered. Heaven gained another angel on July the 7th, and although we will always feel that loss intently, we will remember his warmth, his love, and his friendship for now and forever.

The celebration of David’s life was held at H.M. Patterson & Son in Marietta on July 12, 2016, and presided over by his good friend, Mr. Oran Harper. David was laid to rest at Arlington Memorial Park that afternoon. True and amazing stories about David Lee can be shared online at dignitymemorial.com, and we encourage you to share your memories of David with his family.