Coral Jane Sawyer Lee went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from a brain aneurysm. Coral was born on April 28, 1950, in Loup City, Neb., to Keith and Vivian Sawyer.
At 4 years old, Coral and her family moved to Upper Fords Creek, Orofino, where she lived most of her life. One of her many prides was having three generations living on this property and all using the same bus stop throughout the years.
Coral met the love of her life in the office at Orofino High School in 1967. They married two years later and started building their family in 1971 when they had their first son, Bruce, and Mark the following January in 1972.
To know Coral was to absolutely love her. Her heart of gold showed in many facets. From fostering several children, to being the Clearwater County Grandma or Auntie Coral — she loved kids. Coral volunteered many summers as nurse for 4-H camp and the school’s sixth grade forestry tour. She truly loved educating youth on managing their own health care and safety measures.
Four years ago, Coral restarted the Orofino Adventist Christian School along with her sister Christine. She was a very active member of the Orofino Seventh-day Adventist Church and lived out her faith daily. She loved Jesus with all her heart.
Coral was born a natural caretaker. She was an LPN for 40-plus years between Valley Medical to Clearwater Valley Hospital, Orofino. Because of her love of patients, she was nominated several times for Nurse Leaders of Idaho.
In addition to being the best wife, mom, grandma and nurse, Coral developed Canoe Camp RV from the ground up. She took much pride in the camp, the renters and showing off the American flag as you entered the site. Her patriotism was very evident to all who knew Coral. She took great pride in politics and wrote a bill for the Idaho Legislature that was adopted by several other states.
From helping run Earth Construction to skydiving for her 70th birthday, Coral was always up for a good time. She loved boating, camping, gardening, hunting, crocheting, going to car shows to show off her 1961 coral-pink Thunderbird, to preparing for CVH New Year’s Baby each year. She lived life to the fullest.
Coral is survived by her husband Jay Lee, at their home in Orofino; son Bruce (Amanda) and their children Noah, Jacob, Gracie of Maple Valley, Wash., and Meghan Maki of Orofino, Mark Lee (Rachael Mendenhall) of Orofino, and children Brook, Michael, Jordan (Lexi) and Oliviah; along with five great-grandchildren: Carissa, Hunter, Willow, Luther, Bodi; sister Bonnie Bowman (Dwight) of Enterprise, Ore.; and numerous nieces and nephews, whom she loved immensely.
Coral is preceded in death by her parents Keith and Vivian; sister Mary Burns, brother Daniel Sawyer; granddaughter Mackenzie Lee and sister Christine Thompson.
Our one request is for you to love others with your entire heart. Coral lived this model every day and we would love to have her legacy live on in others. She will be missed beyond words but we have peace knowing that we will see her again at the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Orofino Seventh-day Adventist Church for all who knew and loved her. A private family burial will follow.
