My sweet, sweet son – Jared Lea. Your fight is done.

It is with overwhelming sorrow, we announce the unexpected passing of Jared, on December 9, 2021.  This kind and gentle soul was with us for a brief 30 years and touched the lives of many.

Jared graduated from Selkirk Secondary School in 2009 with a great group of friends.  Following graduation, Jared left to go work on the oil service rigs in Brooks, Alberta, where he was born.  Jared loved working hard, he was always dependable and put in incredibly long hours.  He bought his first house a few years later, something he was very proud of.  This lifestyle, and all that came with it, became an increasing struggle for Jared over the years.

Last year, Jared returned to live in the Kootenays.  He was happy to be back and said it was “the best summer ever”.  Jared spent numerous days at Columbia Lake with his Mom, Bill and Sunny, swimming, getting his tan/burn on and relaxing.  Something he desperately deserved and needed.  Jared made friends everywhere he went, without exception.  He had a genuine way of engaging, connecting and being there for others, despite struggling himself.

One of Jared’s life-loves was having coffee with a friend or family member.  Even as a teenager, Jared loved going for coffee at A&W with Grandma Vi and Scott, or stopping by his Grandpa Ernie and Grandma Bev’s for coffee.  He also spent many of his teenage hours at the Broken Tea Cup in Kimberley, having coffee and soup, on his mom’s tab, so he could visit with Marthel.  He loved connecting over coffee.

The day before his 30th birthday, we moved Jared to Kamloops to start his new life.  The last four months were his proudest moments.  He was excited, happy and hopeful about all he was learning and achieving.  He made some of the deepest, unique bonds he would ever make, with his friends and the team at Sage.  He spoke of them every single day and met with at least one of them, almost every day – for coffee, or a meal, of course.  Last month Jared completed his application to volunteer at a senior’s home in Kamloops so he could visit and have coffee with seniors and play some games with them during his free time.  He was always drawn to helping and supporting others, especially seniors or those who were vulnerable.

Jared will be forever missed by his mother, Lori Stolson (Bill Hughes), step-father (Dave Lozinski); Grandpa (Ernie Lea) and Grandma Bev; his best friend – Matt Raddis; special cousin -Scott Lea and his Sage Friends – you meant so much to Jared; half-brother (Caleb Lea), numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and all his friends and connections along the way.  Each one of you touched Jared’s life in a special way.

Jared was predeceased by his “Grandma Vi” in 2015 and his father, Rick, in 2019.

In memory of Jared, please consider supporting another who is struggling to access the clinical treatment services needed to begin their recovery, by donating any amount to:

Sage Health Centre
E-transfers accepted at:  finance@sagehealthcentre.ca
Please add a Memo, “In memory of Jared Lea” and provide your mailing address as well.

Any cheques can be mailed to:
Sage Health Centre at 101 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC  V2C 2S7
A charitable receipt will be issued to you.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577