Jacob Lee

A tender heart was released from this world on Sunday, April 11. Our beloved Jacob Alexander Lee (Jake), age 23, passed away in his Davis home due to an accidental drug overdose.

Jake was living a life he loved. He had a wonderful apartment where he was surrounded by orderly stacks of the vinyl albums and books he treasured. Most prominent among his personal pictures were photos of Jake with his arm around his older sister, Shayna, who showed him unwavering love and support.

He spent as much time as he could hanging out with his friends, talking, teasing, and laughing.  Jake generously shared details of his long-time struggles with depression and anxiety. His years of work to understand himself and build a life made him a sensitive friend and non-judgmental confidante.

Jake was an English major in Arizona State University’s online undergraduate program, and was steadily progressing toward graduation. He worked at a local restaurant, where he shared his warmth and dry wit with co-workers and many regular customers, some of whom had known him since childhood. Among his earlier milestones was his bar mitzvah at age 13 in Davis.

His sly, quick sense of humor was his calling card, as were the evocative, sometimes esoteric T-shirts he wore. He could completely disarm with an astute observation.

And he always carried a book. David Foster Wallace was a favorite, but he was just as likely to report that he had finished something by Shakespeare, was embarking on a 19th- or early-20th-century author such as Marcel Proust, or was enjoying the irreverent humor of Hunter S. Thompson.

He is survived by his sister, Shayna Alexis Lee; his mother, Kristin (Little) Lee; his father Richard L. Lee; his grandmother Marian L. Little; uncle Sandy Little; aunt Kelley Blewster; aunt Molly Little; uncle Jeremy Lee; uncle Michael Lee; aunt Cynthia Tarkanian-Lee; and numerous extended family members. He was preceded in death by grandparents Ruth Lee Wise; Jack Lee; and Mac Little; and by his step-grandfather, Henry Wise.

A graveside service will be held for Jake on Thursday, April 22, promptly at 3 PM in the Jewish section of the Davis Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Smith Funeral Home.

Reception following service: Garden Hilton Patio, 110 F Street, Davis
All guests attending the reception need to be fully vaccinated or test negative for COVID. Free testing is available 7-days a week through Healthy Davis Together (Agency code = Davis). COVID-19 Testing, Davis, CA - Healthy Davis Together

Join Zoom Meeting
https://sholom-org.zoom.us/j/87598432843?pwd=OVNpRXRVSm5YUUJ3OEpkMnVuOVdzQT09
Meeting ID: 875 9843 2843, Passcode: 708695

Donations may be made to:
Yolo Community Care Continuum, Y3C.org for online giving or mail checks to
P.O. Box 1101, Davis, CA 95617. Please indicate In Memory of Jake Lee.

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Please indicate In Memory of Jake Lee for online giving.