Lee Adrian

Lee James Adrian was born on August 22, 1945, to Arnold and Agnes (Underland) Adrian, in Cooperstown, North Dakota. Up until the age of 20, he lived and did his chores on a farm in Binford, ND, where his family raised dairy and beef cattle, pigs, chickens, and cash crops. Lee attended elementary school in a one room country school (which has now been moved to the home farm where his brother lives). He graduated from Binford High School. Between the ages of 18 and 20, he worked for an area farmer during the summers to earn money for college.
Lee earned an Associate Degree in Electronic Data Processing at North Dakota School of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Upon graduation, he got a job in data processing at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the Air Force when he realized his draft number was the next one to be called. Lee completed Basic Training in San Antonio, Texas. From there, he was shipped to Beale Air Force Base (north of Sacramento,
CA). He spent most of his tour of duty there, although he was assigned to Okinawa, Japan, for 3-4 months on temporary duty. He did computer programming for the Air Force from February, 1966 thru December, 1969. After leaving the Air Force, Lee got a computer programming job at National Cash Register in Gardena. He worked there for 3 years. His next job was at Tabulating Consultants in Burbank, where he worked for 4 years. He then was recruited to work at Motion Picture and Television Fund in Calabasas, CA. The company eventually changed its name to Information Management International Inc. and moved to Burbank, which made for an easier drive for Lee. Lee retired from there on May 30, 2012, after working for them for 35 years. Even after his retirement, he served as a consultant for them for a few years.
Family was very important to Lee. Lee married Margaret (Maggie) Jane Powell on December 14, 1974 at First Lutheran Church in Van Nuys, CA. They raised their three children, Kelley, Christopher, and Jennifer at the home they lived in for 43 years in North Hollywood.
Church was also always important to Lee. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Binford, North Dakota. On September 13, 1976, Lee transferred his membership from Trinity Lutheran in Binford to First Lutheran Church in Van Nuys, CA. Lee served in many positions at First Lutheran Church. He was treasurer for the church for 18 years. He also served on the Board of Stewardship and the Board of Trustees. There are many projects at First Lutheran that were handled by Lee. For example, he oversaw the installation of the LED lights in the church and on the campus. He also ordered and helped install the rollup door between the kitchen and the parish hall. In addition, he served as an usher for many, many years. He was always the first one at church on a Sunday morning and would have the gates and doors unlocked and open, the lights and fans on to cool down the church (or furnace on to warm up the church), the flowers on the altar, and whatever else needed to be ready before everyone showed up for church. When there were special services, such as weddings or funerals, Lee would be in the parking lot directing cars as to where to park in order to maximize the number of cars that could be parked on the lot. He could always be counted on to help with whatever needed to be done.
Community service was also very important to Lee. He was very active in his Neighborhood Watch program (he helped with many neighborhood cleanups and beautification projects) and also participated in a Los Angeles Police Dept. Community Awareness program. Lee also had the opportunity to go to Alaska two times to work on Habitat for Humanity projects, which he thoroughly enjoyed because one time he also got to see a part of the Iditarod.
Lee also had a passion for America as evidenced in his front yard by the tall flagpole on which the American flag hangs, the Pledge of Allegiance, and most recently a Liberty Bell. Lee found pride in America and wanted to share it with others. He was definitely pleased when people who were walking by stopped, put their hand over their heart, and said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Lee's hobbies and favorite pastimes included fishing, hiking, camping, woodworking, and gardening. His favorite place to spend time was in Lone Pine and the Alabama Hills of the Sierra Nevada. Along with friends from church, he hiked Mt. Whitney three times after turning 60 years old.
After receiving a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer at the beginning of June, Lee was called home by his dear Lord on the morning of June 21, 2018. He is survived by his wife Maggie, his three children (Kelley, Christopher, and Jennifer), his nine grandchildren (Amber, Savannah, Tristan, Justin, Veronica, Daniel, Neolani, Benjamin, and Evan), and his three great grandchildren (Jordyn, Korey, & Javon). In addition, he is survived by his siblings, Carol (Milton) Moen from West Fargo, ND, Roger (Shirley) Adrian of Barnesville, MN, Keith (Lana) Adrian of Binford, ND, and Doris (Dean) Giedt of Jamestown, ND and many nieces and nephews. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gary Adrian, and an infant sister and brother, both of whom died at birth.
When Lee left the hospital, his one hope was that he would get strong enough so he could go up to Lone Pine one more time and see all his favorite places. Sadly, that wish did not come true while he was alive. However, his desire to be at Lone Pine one more time will happen as that is where his final resting place will be.