John Jong-Hyo Lee

John Jong-Hyo Lee was born in Inchon, South Korea to Bong Woon (Joseph) Lee and Keum Sung (Maria) Lee on May 11, 1942. He passed away peacefully at his home in Canton, Michigan with his beloved wife and daughter by his side on July 30, 2026. He was 84.

After studying architectural engineering at Inha University in South Korea, John came to the United States in 1968 as a graduate student to pursue computer science at American University in Washington, D.C. In 1975, he married his wife Cellina Myung-Soon (Chu) Lee in Washington, D.C. After their eldest daughter Katherine was born a year later, they moved to Michigan in 1977, where they made their home and later became US citizens. Their younger son, Michael, was born in 1980.

John worked for 27 years as a research engineer at Ford Motor Company while earning a second master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Wayne State University. At Ford’s Scientific Research Lab in Dearborn, he was part of a team that researched and developed control electronic technologies for hybrid and electric vehicle prototypes. After retiring from Ford in 2005, he pursued a second career as a Master Tax Advisor and later as an Enrolled Agent at H&R Block, motivated by a desire to better understand the American tax system. He remained a seasonal employee there until 2023.

Deeply devoted to his family and committed to service, John was also a pillar of the Korean American community in Michigan. He served in many leadership roles, including Parish Council President of the St. Andrew Kim Korean Catholic Church, President and Chairman of the Korean American Community of Metro Detroit (KACMD), President of the Association of Korean American Professionals in the Automotive Industry (KPAI), President of the Michigan Korean Athletics Association, President of the Korean Institute for Human Rights (Michigan chapter), and Council Member of the Korean Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (Michigan Chapter). While serving as Parish Council President, he oversaw the site selection, fundraising, and building of the St. Andrew Kim Korean Catholic Church in Northville—a legacy of which he was especially proud.

He also generously assisted many members of the Korean community in Michigan with tax preparation services and immigration support, including translation and education. In recognition of more than 4,000 hours of volunteer and community service, he received the President’s Volunteer Service Award issued by President Barack Obama in 2014.

John was a man of many interests and pursuits. He attained the rank of Grand Master of Mu Sa Kwan Tang Soo Do (8th Dan) and was also a Reiki Grand Master. In later years, he practiced Japanese kendo and studied sound healing modalities and the chakras. Yet perhaps his most remarkable chapter began after surviving a rare bilateral thalamic stroke, despite an initial prognosis of only two weeks to live. In the 3 years and 6 months following his acute stroke, he met each day with courage and resilience, focusing on rehabilitation, joy, and love. He was sustained by the steadfast care of his wife and daughter and other caregivers.

John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Cellina Myung-Soon Lee, his daughter Katherine, and his siblings Young-Hyo (Clemens), Young-Sook (Viviana), Seung-Hyo (Francisco), and Seon-Hyo. He is preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother In-Hyo, and his son, Michael.

In accordance with John’s wishes, cremation will take place. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, August 15 at St. Andrew Kim Korean Catholic Church, 21177 Halsted Rd., Northville, MI 48167.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that any memorial donations be made in John Jong-Hyo’s Lee’s honor to the Korean American Community of Metro Detroit (KACMD) or to the American Stroke Association.