Your description is really too limited to tell. Maybe you are talking about Rhododendron macrophyllum, although I wouldn't usually call that "lavender" myself. Otherwise maybe R. fortunei, you might look for the selected named form of this 'Emma and May' which is just going out of bloom at local independent outlets to see if that has any similarity.

http://briggsnsy.com/PlantPage.cfm?Product=2501&Group=Rhododendron%20Species

If there is a possibility your plant is a pure species such as one of these you might like to go to the Rhododendron Species Garden in Federal Way which has a comprehensive, labeled collection of wild rhododendrons from all over the world.

Otherwise you might run into it wandering around the upper, more wooded part of the Seattle arboretum - or see it at a local independent garden center that presents a fairly big line of rhododendrons, such as Wells-Medina in Bellevue.

You will want to look for it at flowering time, of course - keeping in mind that stock at local dealers who display rhododendrons under cover may have them blooming a bit ahead of usual due to the buildings warming when the sun comes out.

Here is nice website where you can search using multiple parameters including fragrant and color and size.

https://www.rhododendrons.co.uk/rhododendrons.aspx

Thanks for you quick response. I'm sorry I didn't get pics. Maybe I will visit the old house and see if they'll let me take it or trade for it. The house will be flipped so they aren't attached to the garden.

Another source: http://www.rhodyman.net/rhodynfr.php to view pictures of blooms of fragrant rhodies

If you are in the Seattle area, I'd suggest that you look at the websites for (or, better yet, talk to) (or better still, visit) the folks at Whitney's Garden or Chimacum Woods . They would be able to give you some suggestions.

If all else fails, you might try visiting the rhododendron garden in Federal Way - if you don't see it, they might know about it.

Fairly easy to find and lavender? The only thing that comes to mind is 'Van Nes Sensation'.

Many thanks to all who posted. davidrt, I bet your right! The poor shrub allowed me to transplant it our of full sun after I removed an increasingly invasive butterfly bush. Now I call that one forgiving plant. Maybe it will do ok here too - I want to grow it tree-like as opposed to the pom pom look.

A fragrant tree-like rhododendron is King George. It's white, however.
Here's a couple in my garden.
Mike

Gorgeous! I would if I could but have marine wind and hear KG need protection. I do love those as well.