Ethan Michael Lee

With hearts forever changed, we announce the passing of our precious Ethan Michael Lee, who entered the arms of Jesus on August 5, 2026, after a courageous battle with Wilms tumor. Born on August 23, 2022, Ethan packed more love, laughter, determination, and personality into his three short years than seems possible for such a tiny little boy.

On February 14, 2025, at just two years old, Ethan was diagnosed with Wilms tumor and began a journey no child should ever have to face. Through treatments, procedures, hospital stays, and difficult days, Ethan showed a strength and resilience far beyond his years. Cancer became part of Ethan’s story, but it was never what defined him.

Ethan was defined by joy. By love. By laughter. And by a personality much bigger than he was.

He loved Spider-Man and PAW Patrol, and anything involving Spider-Man was sure to make him happy. His favorite toys included monster cars, trains, and, of course, Spider-Man. He also had an adorable love for pretending to clean the house, happily joining in and making even ordinary moments memorable.

Ethan was also a little boy who knew exactly what he liked to eat. Chicken nuggets, bananas, chocolate cake, sushi, hamburgers, and Dr Pepper were among his favorites. Trips to Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s were always welcome, but nothing compared to his mom’s homemade lasagna—his favorite meal she made especially for him.

Some of Ethan’s most treasured relationships were with his brothers and sisters. He affectionately called his sister Bella “Dawa,” a name that will forever hold a special place in his family’s hearts. He loved practicing cheer with his big sisters Kaitlynn and Bella, joining right in as though he were part of the team.

Ethan never needed an elaborate adventure to have a wonderful day. He simply loved going anywhere. Running errands was exciting because it meant being together. He especially loved trips to the park, where he could swing, and going to church, where one of his favorite things was jumping and playing in the bounce houses.

But of all the places Ethan could go and all the things he could do, his favorite place in the entire world was beside his mom.

Over the last year and a half of his life, Ethan and his mother, Angela, became inseparable. Through every appointment, treatment, difficult night, hopeful moment, and ordinary day in between, she was his constant. Ethan wanted to be wherever his mom was. He loved cuddling with her more than anything else, and if she was there, that was where he wanted to be.

Their bond was extraordinary—a love built through countless hours spent side by side during the most difficult journey imaginable. In a world that became filled with doctors, hospitals, treatments, and uncertainty, his mother’s arms were Ethan’s safe place and his home.

Ethan leaves behind his loving mother, Angela Lynn Lee; his father, Stephen Lee; his beloved siblings, Izabella, Kaitlynn, Alyssa, Dylan, and Brian Lee; his maternal grandmother, Linda Overcast; his paternal grandmother, Susan Lee; and countless beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and friends who will forever carry a piece of Ethan with them.

There will forever be reminders of him in the smallest things—a Spider-Man character, a passing train, monster cars scattered across a floor, a playground swing, a bounce house, a plate of homemade lasagna, or a little boy following his mom around wanting to help clean. There will be memories of cheer practice with his sisters and the sound of him calling Bella “Dawa.” And there will always be an empty space beside his mom where her little boy once curled up as close to her as he possibly could.

While our hearts ache with a loss that words cannot adequately express, we find comfort in believing that Ethan is now free from pain—running, playing, swinging, laughing, and whole again in the presence of God.

In just three years, Ethan taught those around him lessons that can take a lifetime to understand. He taught us about courage and resilience. He taught us to find happiness in ordinary moments. He taught us that sometimes the greatest adventures are simply running errands with someone you love. And most importantly, he showed us just how powerful the bond between a mother and her child can be.

Ethan’s story will never be defined by the cancer he fought.

It will be defined by the life he lived.

By Spider-Man and PAW Patrol.

By monster cars and trains.

By chicken nuggets and chocolate cake.

By swinging at the park and bouncing at church.

By practicing cheer with his big sisters.

By calling Bella “Dawa.”

By his enormous personality.

By his beautiful smile.

And above everything else, by a little boy who loved being wrapped in his mother’s arms.

Three years could never have been enough.

But the love Ethan gave during those three years is enough to last a lifetime.

Ethan Michael Lee

August 23, 2022 – August 5, 2026

Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our little hero.

Three beautiful years. A lifetime of love.