Lee K. Edmonds, 77, of Dunkirk, Maryland, passed away on Sunday, 11 February 2024, in his home surrounded by family. He was born on 5 April 1946 in Riverside, California, to the late Ralph and Mildred “Bee” Edmonds. He was the second of five sons.

Lee’s father was an Air Force officer. Early in Lee’s life, the family was stationed in Wiesbaden and Munich, Germany, and Fontainebleau, France. Stateside, they lived in Florida, Maryland, Illinois, and California.

During their tour at Andrews Air Force Base, as children, Lee and his brothers played amongst decommissioned aircraft, including Boeing B-29 “Enola Gay” and B-17D “The Swoose.” Later in the tour, the family spent summers living aboard the Bee Hive, a houseboat built by their father and docked at White Sands on the Patuxent River.

At 16, Lee’s family returned to West Palm Beach, Florida, where he completed his high school education.  After graduating from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Ocean Engineering, he moved to Maryland to begin his career. In 1971, he was employed by the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense, as an Electronics Engineer where he met his wife, Debbie. They married in West Palm Beach, Florida, in April 1977. Lee retired after 38 years of Federal Government Service in 2009.

Lee was passionate about waterskiing and patiently taught all ages how to ski behind his 1973 MasterCraft and 1999 Malibu Sportster ski boats. Over the years, his hobbies included building and flying radio control model airplanes and sailplanes; riding dirt bikes in enduro and motocross; and constructing wooden skiffs, kayaks, and boats. He and his three children built Cocktail Class Racer #83 Sundowner in 2011 and participated in numerous racing events along the east coast.

Lee’s favorite poem was “High Flight” by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. Lee enjoyed reading science fiction novels, watching English Premier League football, listening to smooth jazz and blues rock, feeding birds and squirrels on his deck, and spotting eagles and ospreys soaring over the Patuxent River. On family vacations, one would find Lee swimming with dolphins and other aquatic animals and visiting maritime museums, lighthouses, and aquariums. He also enjoyed spending time with close friends and family.

Lee, a wonderful and devoted husband and father, is survived by his wife Deborah “Debbie” Edmonds of 47 years; three children, Bret (Saori), Brian (Ashley Grim), and BreeAnn Edmonds; five grandchildren, Mackenzie, Lorelei, May, Kian, and Sho Edmonds; three brothers, Richard (Junia), David, and Robert (Lucia) Edmonds; two sisters-in-law, Janine Edmonds and Victoria (Anthony) DiToto; two nieces, Sarah LaPoint and Amelia Martin; and one nephew, Cy Edmonds. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, William Edmonds.

Soar with the eagles, Lee. You will always be missed and forever live on in our hearts.

Sincere thanks and appreciation for all the exceptional care and kindness the Chesapeake-Potomac Home Health Agency nurse, physical therapist, and health aide provided to Lee during his time at home from May 2023 through February 2024.

Special thanks to the Chesapeake Medical Transport Services staff for always meeting Lee’s transportation needs, for providing outstanding and reliable service, and ensuring safe and courteous travels.

Memorial donations may be made to Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons Island, Maryland; Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department in Dunkirk, Maryland; or a charity of your choice.