Published Tuesday, Sep. 20, 2011
Modified Tue, Sep 20, 2011 03:32 PM 0 Comments
 

SCHOOLS: Southridge High mourns teacher's death
By Paula Horton, Tri-City Herald staff
Tri-City Herald 
    
Kennewick -- A popular Southridge High teacher died unexpectedly this morning.

Henry Lee, 48, was found dead this morning in his bed. Officers were called at 6:40 a.m. to a report of an unresponsive man at a Newport Street home, said Mike Blatman, Kennewick police spokesman.

Lee was a chemistry and health occupation teacher for the past two years at Southridge, said Lorraine Cooper, Kennewick School District spokeswoman.

He was remembered by staff members as being very positive, funny and well-liked, Cooper said.

Lee’s death is being investigated by the Kennewick Police Department. No foul play is suspected. The coroner’s office was called and expected to schedule an autopsy.

Southridge staff members were told of Lee’s death during a meeting this morning and an announcement was made over the intercom, Cooper said.

A moment of silence was then held in the building.

A grief center for both students and staff was set up in the library and counselors are visiting students who had classes with Lee, Cooper said.

A poster with Lee’s picture was put up outside the library for students and staff to sign.

HENRY'S ORBITUARY

HENRY KIT-MAN LEE   |   Visit Guest Book 

Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home

Henry Kit-man Lee, age 48, resident of Kennewick, passed away at home.

He was born on March 3, 1963, in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Parents were Judy and William Lee.

He married Sandra Russell on August 23, 1986. Henry attended Ferris High School in Spokane and graduated from WSU with a BA in education, and attended Walla Walla Community College. He received his black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He worked for M2 Counseling and Consulting as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for many years and as a teacher at Southridge High School.

He grew up in Spokane, moved to Walla Walla in 1986 and to Kennewick in 1992. He has volunteered as a youth group leader at Family of Faith church and Chinese Christian Alliance, as well as been active in the Journey with Christ community, which is a youth Christian spiritual renewal retreat.

The thing that stood out about Henry was how loyal and loving he was as a friend and how fully supportive he was of other people. He always raised others up.

Henry is survived by wife, Sandra; children, Nicholas, Jasmine, and Brandon, all of Kennewick; mother, Judy Lee, and brother, Robert Lee, both of Spokane. He was preceded in death by father, William Lee.

Services will be at Southridge High School gymnasium at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 24th, 2011. Memorial donations can be made to Journey with Christ, c/o 608 Linda Court, Richland, WA 99352.
The family invites you to sign their online guestbook at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.

Published in Tri-City Herald on September 23, 2011

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