
Joo Lee, Our beloved father and “Habi”
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Janice and I’m fundraising for my late father, Joo Lee, who passed away on Saturday evening, July 23, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Yang Lee, his daughter, Janice, his son, Andrew, his son-in-law, Thomas, and his grandson, Callan.
We had to unexpectedly say goodbyes to our father to his heart failure. No one saw it coming. His grandson, Callan, was all excited to see his favorite person in the world, his Habi (grandpa nickname), the next day where they spend a whole day together. He mentioned some chest pain a few days before his final day but didn’t know it was a sign. He had a doctors appointment on Sunday, a day before he passed away, to check on his condition. The only thing we wish that could’ve happened was that we took him to see a doctor when he first felt the pain. Maybe he would’ve been here with us then. Maybe then we didn’t have to write this letter right now. We can only wish that he was still here.
It is deeply saddening to see how he left his world so abruptly without seeing his family and friends one more time. He spent his entire life devoting to our family and friends. Without knowing a single English word, he decided to immigrate to the United States with his wife and two young children to provide better lives to our family. He didn’t care what he had to do to support us even if it meant having 2-3 jobs working all day. His unconditional love for his family and friends kept him going and created so many great memories of him. Even though he was tired, he always made us laugh. His corny dad jokes that made us smile and his care and wanting to make sure that we’re happy and well taken care of are only a few of loving memories we have. He was always the first one to help any friend in need. To someone it could’ve seen insignificant. But without expecting anything back, our dad did not hesitate to go out of his ways and help anyone in need to get through hardships even if he had no money or time to support. Because he knew what hardships were. Because he wanted to make sure that who he cares for doesn’t have to face anything alone.
His last couple of years had been spent with his entire world, his grandson. Their love for each other was one of its kind. Every Sunday was their special day to spend all day with each other even if that meant my dad driving 5+ hrs every week between Augusta and Atlanta. They would go grocery shopping, eat lunch at their favorite restaurant, and just play silly games with each other. Every Sunday was not enough time for them to make wonderful memories so they spent every minute of the day together until next Sunday. During the week, my dad and Callan FaceTimed with each other about their days every day because they missed each other. Watching how special their relationship grew over time was something extraordinary and unforgettable.
We don’t even know what to say to Callan that his Habi isn’t here anymore. That he will see his Habi later in Heaven but not every Sunday anymore. Just breaks our hearts when Callan looks out the window and asks to his grandma where Habi is. And we’re still trying to figure out everything else. Thankfully with some support from Dad’s church, we have arranged his funeral ceremony at Lees Funeral Home in Duluth, GA. This fundraiser with support the cost of his funeral arrangements.
We know he’ll be very well missed. We know he’ll be in Heaven watching over us. We only wish that he’s resting in peace with God and waiting for us when we’re ready to meet him again.
The Funeral Service is at 6pm on Tuesday, 7/26.
Location:
Lee’s Funeral Homes
4067 Industrial Park Dr
Unit 3B
Peachtree Corners, GA 30071
United States
The burial ceremony is on Thursday (7/28/2022) at 11am.
Location:
North Atlanta Memorial Park and Mausoleum
5188 Winters Chapel Road
Dunwoody, GA 30360
Organizer
Janice Hamilton
Organizer
Duluth, GA