MARION — Jonathan “Chase” Lee was known for many things in the halls of Marion High School — his years on the baseball team, his standout abilities as a student — but he was perhaps best known for his compassion as a person.
Lee, a senior who was to graduate this Friday, was swimming in the Little Pee Dee River on Friday with a group of friends, had exempted his senior exams and was out of school for the day when a drowning accident claimed his life.
Lee played baseball since he was in seventh grade. His high grades ranked him in the top 20 percentile of his graduating class.
But for those who knew him best, it was his personality that made him stand out in a crowd.
“He was one of those kids that came along once every several years, that just really makes an impact on the people around him ... had a special place in many people’s lives,” said Lee’s art teacher, Scott Collins.
Collins said he spoke with Lee just the day before his death about his aspirations and goals for the future.
“He had everything mapped out and he was that kind of young man,” Collins said. “He had his plans in place, he had his goals in place, he had his relationships square and he had his spiritual life square with his heavenly father, as well.”
The sad news of Lee’s passing was delivered to his classmates just hours after the accident Friday.
That afternoon before school dismissed, everyone paused for a moment of silence. Many weren’t able to come to grips with what they’d just heard.
“We spent some time trying to counsel with them and maybe most importantly what we tried to do with these young people, we spent time and we’ve prayed with them,” Collins said of the students, “let them know that there is a rhyme and a reason for the way things occur even though we may not understand it.”
On Monday afternoon, Lee’s family held a funeral service for the teen when they meant to have been planning his graduation party.
His friends and teachers say the one comfort they have is knowing what a dramatic effect Lee had on their lives.
“Chase left a legacy for a lot of students here, older students that had graduated and even our younger students that are still here at our school,” Collins said. “He was a good friend to many. He made an impact not only among the students and his peers, but he also made an impact among the teachers and among our administration.”
Marion High officials said Lee had completed everything necessary to graduate. They will have a seat bearing his name at Friday during the commencement ceremony and posthumously will award his diploma to his parents.
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