Obituary: Jared Lee, 25

The following is an obituary submitted by the Lee family:

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Jared Lee, a son, brother, and friend of exceptional character and boundless spirit. Born on April 8, 1998, Jared left us too soon on August 14, 2023, leaving an extraordinary legacy of kindness and service in his wake.

He is survived by his loving family, including his parents, Roger Lee and Michelle Lee, his sisters, Michaela Lee and Noelani Lee, as well as many cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Jared will be remembered for his compassionate spirit, his empathy, appreciation for nature, and love of the Lord. He was someone who filled the room with warmth, always ready to help those in need and spread smiles wherever he went.

Jared had a quiet, determined enthusiasm for everything he put his mind to. He loved the Boy Scouts and eventually became an Eagle Scout. He loved running and eventually competed in an Ironman half-triathlon. He loved being a peacemaker (as the youngest of three, he often had to be) and eventually became an ombuds at the University of California, Irvine. Jared pushed himself to continually grow and always aimed to inspire others to do the same.

He constantly strove to be outdoors, on the move, and enjoying the sun--and he especially loved to share outdoors time with others. Among his many pleasures were surfing, snowboarding, biking, pickleball, racquetball, hiking, backpacking, camping, snorkeling, scuba diving, outrigger canoeing, kayaking, and sailing.

To his family and close friends, Jared was also known for his boundless creative spirit. He always carved out time to sketch and draw, play the ukelele, and spend time outdoors in the garden. His commitment to the environment was reflected in the many trees he cultivated from seeds. These trees, which continue to grow and flourish, are a fitting tribute to Jared's unwavering love for the outdoors.

Jared always had an inquisitive nature. As a child, he would always try to figure out how things worked. He would ask "why" and "how", not letting up until he was satisfied with the response. As he got older he questioned his presence in the world and his responsibility to others. This search led him to the Lord. Throughout his life, Jared was an active member at churches including in Dublin, Kailua, and Tustin.

In Jared, the world has lost a beautiful soul. His kindness, love, and commitment to service will continue to inspire all who knew him."---Jared's friends and family look forward to celebrating his life on September 9, 2023 at the Dougherty Station Community Arts Center. Please find more details on the Events tab. At https://everloved.com/life-of/jared-lee/ .

We welcome anyone to join us in remembering Jared.

In lieu of flowers, funds are being raised in Jared's memory for The Pantry, a food distribution service for people in need in Hawai'i. Jared was of Hawaiian heritage and volunteered with them while he lived in Hawai'i with the Movers and Shakas program. He was incredibly service oriented throughout his whole life, and we're grateful for the opportunity to connect people with the causes that he loved. Donations can be made at the following URL: https://thepantry.app.neoncrm…

If donating is not an option for you at this time, we encourage you to consider donating blood through the American Red Cross, another cause that Jared avidly supported.

This obituary was submitted by the Lee family. The views expressed are the author's own. If you would like to submit an obituary or life announcement, email [email protected].