October 24, 2010

   On my 22nd birthday, October 24, 2010, my dad gave the best gift he could ever give. He ended his fight and took his last breath at 5:35 pm. My grandparents were both by his side.
    Because I have had a few days to process and cry myself dry, I can write this in clear conscious and say I could not be more honored to call him my father. We are all so very proud of him for fighting as long as he did and look at his passing as such a beautiful release and a peaceful end to such a long war.
    I’m in the process of writing a “eulogy” that will be read at the celebration of his life. In the mean time here is what I wrote for his obituary. To those who knew my father, were witness to his amazing spirit, and moved by his brilliant determination, please celebrate with us.

    Lee Jeffry Fouts ended his six-year battle with cancer on October 24, 2010 in the thoughtful and caring hands of the Franciscan Hospice House. He is preceded in death by his sister Ruth. Lee is survived by his three devoted children Cody, Jessie and Jake Fouts; their mother, Mollie Fouts; his loving parents Bud and Marje Fouts; and his four supportive siblings Linda Grist (Eddie), Marie McKechnie, Keith Fouts (Peggy), and Ann Fouts. Lee also had 14 nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved spending time with.
Lee was born in Tacoma, Washington on July 13, 1956. His family later moved to Bellingham where he graduated from Sehome High School in 1974. He worked as an electrician for thirty years at various companies in Tacoma and retired from Totem Electric of Tacoma in 2004.
Lee’s passions included hunting, fishing, camping, golfing, jazz music, cooking, and supporting his children at sports events, music concerts, dance recitals and graduations. He devoted 20 years to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and served on numerous state committees including the Washington Wildlife Recreation Coalition.
Lee was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2004 and outlived a six-month life expectancy. His fight was admirable and taught us the limitless boundaries of the human spirit. As his family, we could not be more proud of his determination and utter strength.
Please join us to celebrate that strength on November 5th, 2010 at the Puyallup Elks Lodge (314 27th ST NE Puyallup, WA 98372) at 2pm. In lieu of flowers please instead, make a donation to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (www.rmef.org).