LEE, Jon

LEE, Dr. Jon H.

Dr. Jon H. Lee, 86, died peacefully in his sleep on December 23, 2020 at his home in Englewood, Ohio. Jon, whose birth name was Hyunkoo, was born on March 5, 1934 in Seoul, Korea. He earned his undergraduate degree from Seoul National University while working as a translator for American troops during the Korean War. At 22, he moved to the U.S. to continue his studies, earning his Master's and Ph.D. degrees from Ohio State University by 1962. Dr. Lee worked for 40 years at the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. A natural mathematician and problem-solver, he devoted his career to research on turbulence, honored with the General Foulios Award for his contributions to aeronautical engineering. In 1970, Jon married Janet Adams. Together they established J-J Farm, where they lived for 50 years, raising four children. Jon loved his farm, remodeling the old farmhouse by hand, spending countless hours working on his home and property. A true provider, he took meticulous care of everyone and everything around him. Jon was no-nonsense and unsentimental, yet a deeply loving husband and father – strong, steady, determined, wise, quirky, generous, and humble. He lived and loved through his actions, never idle, always in motion, and always looking forward. His integrity shone. For 40 years, Jon taught the Builder's Class at Concord United Methodist Church – his chosen extended family. The class warmly recalls his ability to draw people together, the twinkle in his eyes as he leaned in to tell a joke, his unfailing consistency to show up for people during difficult times. Always seeking to help others in unassuming and thoughtful ways, he quietly lived his Christian values – honesty, faith, love, service, grace. Jon was a life-long learner. He read for hours each night after doing Sudoku, and took college classes after retirement, purely to learn. Diligent about his health, he spent hours a day at the YMCA gym, never missing an Englewood 5k race, pursuing superfoods before that term existed, and encouraging others to care for their health, too. At the same time, and without contradiction, Jon was known for his love of Big Macs, Oreos, and ice cream. Because after all, life is a balance. Jon was truly a whole person, and one-of-a-kind. Always sure of the ground on which he stood, he quietly guided us all, filling us with love and respect. He is survived by his wife, Janet; his sons David Lee of Detroit, MI and Matt (Keri) Lee of Lexington, KY; his daughters Michelle Lee of Gabon, Africa and Kristen (Neil) Mathias of Columbus, OH; four grandchildren, Nolan and Caroline Mathias, and Cecelia and Vivian Lee; and two sisters, Ok Jeong Lee of Seoul, South Korea and Ock Soon Sohn of Atlanta, GA. He was preceded in death by nine brothers and two sisters. A public walk-through visitation will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29 at Concord United Methodist Church (1123 S. Main St., Englewood). Private services will follow with burial at Concord Church Cemetery. The family asks that masks and social distancing are respected. In lieu of flowers, Jon wished for donations to be made to his "home away from home", the Kleptz YMCA in Englewood. The Kindred Funeral Home, Englewood is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.KindredFuneralHome.com

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