Justin "J.S." Lee

A Victory Service for Justin S. Lee, 36, will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, May 8th at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, CLC in West Columbia. The family will receive friends after the service in the church assembly hall.

Justin was born to Michael and Nancy Waugh on April 3rd, 1983. He was baptized as an infant into Christ's kingdom and became a lifelong member of Holy Trinity where his father, suffering from terminal cancer, met and chose Virgil and Karen Lee to become Justin's adoptive parents. Justin never thought of his new family as anything other than blood.

Besides his birth parents, he was preceded in death by biological sisters Eve and Brandy.  

He has a full family mourning their loss, especially his wife Abi and three sons, Lex, Elijah and Oliver. His parents Virgil and Karen Lee, brother Kenny Lee (Sarah) and sister Paula Bouknight are among his second family. He still had a warm bond with his biological siblings: Loretta Hardcastle, Raymond Waugh, Scott Waugh (Christina), and Dawn Watson (Jimmy) as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Justin's full confidence in his Savior's love for him, Christ's sacrifice on the cross and victory over death through the resurrection was the firm foundation on which he built his life. He knew from a young age that he wanted to be a husband and father, and his wife and children were the center of his world; his greatest pride.

His infectious, crazier-than-life personality was adored by so many throughout his time on earth. Finding himself as somewhat "different" as a kid (being a sci-fi geek and music lover), he eventually learned how to be comfortable in his own skin and was always determined to help people see that it's ok to be who they are and find friends who love that person. He was a light in the darkness to so many. He always and only wanted to help his friends in all things, and would drop everything and run to your side if you asked.

He was accepting, loving and compassionate; but if you were a true friend, you knew that when he insulted, made fun of or called you names, he was expressing his love for you and you'd give it right back. He was a lover of words; loved talking and listening, debating and discussion, sarcasm, and silliness.

He adored music; played the guitar, drums and piano. Harmony and dissonance were his favorite combination and he would find beauty and peace in all music from metal to Beethoven. Being creative through composing music, producing videos, or collaborating with friends on any project was his fuel and drive. He would dive in to any creative endeavor head first - not stopping 'til he believed it was perfect; and it was always perfect.

As much as all creative things gave him joy, his true passion was the theatre and he was proud to be able to consider himself part of the greater Columbia theatre community. He loved to be behind the scenes, perfecting the way the audience heard their shows. He found "peace in chaos" and thrived on being able reason and problem solve when others were overwhelmed. Through this chapter of his life, he was blessed with many beautiful friendships.

Justin hated the ugliness of sin in this world, and one of his main goals in life was to make people's lives happier. He always said that if he could make just one person laugh in a crowd of people, that his mission was accomplished. He will always be remembered this way.

Justin Lee's ETA with His Savior was 11:13 p.m., May 4th, 2019. Hallelujah! -- Praise be to the Lord! 

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