Obituary of Jeffrey Ryan Lee

Jeff Lee went to heaven on January 4, 2024. Born in 1986, Jeff should have been in the prime of his life. At 17, he was diagnosed with Leukemia that took his youth and forever impacted his future. With the help of great doctors and staff, Jeff received a stem cell transplant that gave him life for the next 20 years. Jeff maximized his time on this earth pursuing many friendships, passions and interests.

Born in Fort Worth, Jeff embraced western heritage and the cowboy life, loved big trucks and motorcycles—and later sports cars and painting. He was fortunate to visit Maui, Hawaii many times and learned to surf early in life—and vicariously to the end, while living the Aloha Spirit and building a Tiki bar at his house. A fan of Don Ed Hardy (the godfather of American tattooing), Jeff donned tattoos from his neck down—an expression of his art and creativity. Every tattoo had a meaning and purpose—and he bore these long before the popularity of today.

Jeff had the gift of fostering genuine friendship and his qualities are imprinted on the many that loved him. You can believe that he is in his spiritual place and health no longer a challenge.

Jeff was formally educated at The Oakridge School and TCU—and read profusely throughout his life to learn.

Jeff leaves behind Lauren, his wife of 5 years and love of his life, his parents, Cindy and Dave, brother Eric and wife Veronica, nephew Aiden—and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws. His three wonderful dogs, Bera, Tiki and Romeo will miss him too. A special thanks go out to the brilliant doctors and nurses who treated and cared for Jeff over the years—as well as UT Southwestern, MD Anderson, Baylor Medical Center and Cook Children’s Medical Center.

Services are to be held Saturday, January 13 at 4 PM Thompson’s Harveson & Cole, 4350 River Oaks Blvd, Fort Worth, TX. Colorful attire is requested. 

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Maui Strong Fund (https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/home) or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (https://www.lls.org/).