'Kind' Grand Rapids Dad Is 'A Beautiful Human Being,' Daughter Says

GRAND RAPIDS, MI— Father's Day is the perfect time to give a big thanks to all the dads who put smiles on our faces. Grand Rapids, meet InSung Oaks Lee.

If you know a dad who sends sweet, silly or thoughtful texts your way, you’re pretty lucky. Texts from Dad have a way of putting a smile on our faces — and this Father’s Day, we’re celebrating the fathers behind the phones!

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to shine a light on awesome dads and the funny, insightful things they say. This submission comes from Crystal Fewtrell who nominated InSung Oaks Lee of Grand Rapids.

What makes your dad extra special?

My dad is extra special because he embodies kindness and compassion for others and he has survived and thrived in spite of hardships that would cripple most people. Born in South Korea at the end of the Korean War, he found himself struggling to find enough to eat and thrive. His mother, my grandmother ChangSoon, and his father, my grandfather SangJo decided it was in his best interest if he went to make a life for himself in America.

As a young teen, he traveled alone overseas where he went to live with his sister SoonSung and her young family in California. His brother-in-law, Don Oaks, was a military serviceman at the time, was kind enough to adopt him to give him a chance to grow up and finish school in the US.

During college at Central Michigan University, he met my mom, Beverly Lee, who was featured on the 2023 Mother’s Day Grand Rapids Patch article. They have been married for over 50 years!

After college, he joined the US Army as a Cavalry Officer. They went on to have five kids and the military life would take us all over the world. Some highlights include living in South Korea, Hawaii, Germany, Texas, and finally the DC metro area where he retired from a successful military career as a Major in the US Army.

He was inducted into CMU ROTC Hall of Fame in 2013. He even went on to graduate from Army War College as a civil servant and wrote the paper, United States Policy Toward North Korea - The Art of Peace Supports U.S. Interests (January 1, 1998).

His determination stemmed from his motivation to serve others. He wanted the best for his family and to offer his children a life he was unable to experience himself. Unlike his own childhood, my Dad had the opportunity to be there for us growing up. My volleyball teammates and I would appreciate his effort to be at our games. He would sometimes be the only parent at our volleyball games or tennis matches. Taking time from work to be present at our games meant the world to us.

After retiring, both he and my mom would travel to see each of their grandkids to celebrate their birthdays. My siblings and I have spread to the four corners of the US. Our parents are kind enough to jet-set from the DC Metro area, to Tucson, to Seattle regularly to ensure each grandchild feels special and loved on their special day.

His passion for service extends beyond our family, beyond the military, to the wider community by holding positions within his church and coaching his local high school football team. Twice he served as a Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Currently, he is going to South Korea with my mom to serve a mission as Family History Support Missionaries.

Why do you feel your dad deserves the spotlight?

I feel my dad deserves the spotlight because he models all of the qualities and characteristics of kindness in action. He is disciplined in how he conducts himself and thoughtful in the words he speaks. He faced discrimination growing up as a Korean living in the US, yet he still loves this country and would be willing to lay down his life for it if necessary. He is a beautiful human being and has lived a life worth celebrating! I love you, Dad!

Happy Father’s Day to InSung Oaks Lee, and thank you for all you do!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know an amazing dad who sends great texts? Nominate him here by June 15.