Lauren Jan Klee Obituary (1951

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Lauren Jan Klee after a long, hard fought battle with brain cancer. Lauren passed peacefully with his wife Caroline and daughter Heather by his side. When Lauren was initially diagnosed, he was given 18 months as an expectation. He was active and happy to be alive for more than four years after. We are thankful for every day we were able to spend with this loving father, grandfather (Sampa), great grandfather, husband, brother, and friend. Lauren was an amazing man who took every one of his many passions to an extreme of expertise and exploration. He lived each day to the fullest and had many friends in many places from the many adventures that made up his life. His sense of humor filled any occasion with laughter. He loved animals and enjoyed sharing his vast knowledge of plants and birds, often while walking in the neighborhood or in the woods. If you knew Lauren, you probably got to see the art he created as a master woodworker. From the finest cabinetry to gorgeous urns for those who had lost loved ones, he could turn raw materials into something precious. Often in the process building a connection with family or friends that he was always happy to teach and share his knowledge with. Whether working on a project or the day to day Lauren always offered to help. In leisure sports Lauren was competitive and set an example for others to follow in his pursuit of not only a good time but taking on the challenge of friendly competition. In darts, he was a respected player. In disc golf he could match the efforts of any fellow player, and make the experience a menagerie of stories, anecdotes, and advice to go along with a good time. As a free diver he brought treasures and exotic delicacies to the surface. As a fisherman the time spent creating memories on the water always delivered a cooler full of fish but likely empty of beer. Skiing was also one of his many loves that he pursued with vigor. Service, despite his free spirit, came to Lauren at a young age. After growing up in Napa, California, and graduating from Napa High School in 1970, Lauren was the first number called in the 1972 draft in the Vietnam era. Thankfully surviving his service as a mechanic in the Army, Lauren took those skills and continued to serve his country at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo California. He transferred to Bangor Naval Base in Poulsbo, WA in 1994 where he worked on nuclear submarines until he retired. His career spanned 35 years in as a machine mechanic who grew from an apprentice to a leader. Born to Richard and Margaret (Beecher) Klee the fourth of five children in 1951 and passing in 2022, Lauren lived a rich 70 years. He is survived by his wife Caroline, son Casey, daughters Michelle, Kelly, and Heather, grandchildren Ellie, Chloe, Waven, and Carter, and great- grandchildren Axton and Boston.