Help with CJ Lee's medical and funeral expenses

My name is Alicia Pfahler and for 24 years I have had the honor of knowing my brother-in-law, CJ Lee. CJ passed away on January 24, 2022 of COVID, leaving his precious wife, Ruth, my husband's sister, and their 3 children, Mark, 17, Patton, 15, and Kalinda, 11, with a hole that will not be filled. CJ lived life with passion. He worked hard, played hard, loved hard. He was a creative innovator and owned his own business, which was the sole income for the family. The 4 weeks he spent in the hospital valiantly fighting for his life on a ventilator and the upcoming funeral arrangements are overwhelming expenses for this family who now doesn't have a source of income. I am asking those who can to consider giving to this precious family.

 

I'd like to share some of CJ's story. CJ came to the US in his 20s from his home country of Malaysia. His uncle paved the way for him to find a life here. He was an artist and businessman and studied photography at Bowling Green State University of Ohio where he met his wife, Ruth, my husband's sister, who was studying to teach English as a second language before going to teach English in China for 2 years. He fell hard for her and she took her time. While developing their friendship CJ met Jesus and gave his soul to be a place of God's dwelling. They married, moved to New York City, and made a life there, building his professional photography and retouching business. There they had 3 children, served in their Chinese Church, attended their kids' sporting events and musical performances. Dave and I and the girls enjoyed a number of visits to NYC where CJ would find us the best food, take the girls' pictures, and add to our lives with his humor and love. In the summer of 2020 they moved to Carmel, Indiana. This was a huge change for the family to which they were slow to adjust due to COVID. Over Christmas of 2021, the family got COVID. While the other 4 recovered quickly, CJ did not. We are all shattered. His light, his passion, his joy, his wisdom...I cannot find words to express this sorrow. Nor can I fathom the mystery of how the imprint of his soul will remain in those who knew him. Thank you so much for reading this. Your prayers and gifts are so appreciated. I will make sure these funds go directly to the expenses of the funeral, after which they will be applied to dent the medical expenses.