Joseph Roy Ewen III

Joseph Ewen Obituary

Joseph Roy EWEN, III A systems analyst for Washington Mutual, passed away in Houston, TX on Sunday, May 23, 2004 after a short but courageous battle with cancer. He was 27. Joe was born in Fort Worth, TX and lived there until he moved to Washington in 2002. He graduated from Arlington High School in Arlington, TX in 1995, where he was an honors student and played for the Arlington High Colts football team. He married Lori Sitton of Renton on April 24, 2004 in the chapel at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he was receiving treatment from the very best doctors and nurses in the profession. His family will always be grateful for the diligence and dedication that each doctor and nurse gave to Joe while he was their patient. Joe was an avid sports fan, and he was also very involved in the online gaming community. He was a kind and loving person, a good brother, and a devoted husband and stepfather. We are proud of the courage he displayed while he was fighting his illness, and he touched many lives during his last months. Joe is survived by his wife Lori Ewen of Renton, stepchildren Tausha, Jeremy, Cameron and Chelsea of Everett, grandparents Bernice and Joe Ewen Sr of Ft Worth, mother Barbara Ewen of Ft. Worth, father Joe Ewen Jr of Arlington, stepmother Dianna Ewen of Arlington, sisters Jennifer Badger of Issaquah and Heather Ewen of Arlington, brother Josh Ewen of Ft Worth, niece Zoe Badger of Issaquah, nephews Jackson and Max Badger of Issaquah, 5 uncles, 4 aunts, 19 cousins, and many other friends and family in Texas and Washington. He will be deeply missed by each and every one of us. The family is planning to hold a private memorial in Ft Worth at a later date. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, a remembrance be made to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

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Published by The Seattle Times on May 28, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Ewen

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13 Entries

Velvet (Woody) Trotter

May 22, 2005

I ran into an old friend today, and found out about Joe and even though it have been sometime since I have seen him, I was absolutely crushed. Joe was a kind, caring, and compassionate person. He was intelligent, funny, and a good Christian. I went to school with him for three years in Jr. High, and High School. He was someone who always made me feel good about myself when no one else did. He was one of the most understanding friends I had at the time. I send my deepest sympathy to his family..................

Chuck & Carol Isbell

May 11, 2005

Although the years have come between us, we will always love the Ewen family. Joe, Jr., and Wayne, our "little brothers" and Papa Joe and Mama B have always been family to us. We are very saddened by your loss and have you in our prayers. God bless you,each in a special way, and may you be comforted by the Holy Spirit.

Brian Mackin

May 31, 2004

When I moved to Virginia from Texas, I knew that there would only be a handful of people I would keep in contact with. At the top of that list was Joe, the closest I’ve ever had to having a brother. He had an impact on my life like no one else, encouraging me to be the outgoing party guy, regardless of how shy I actually was. Even though we didn’t talk as much after I moved (a few times a week instead of a few times a day), and we didn’t see each other as often, I always knew that Joe was there for me if I ever needed some good advice or just an ear. Our friendship was a good balance, with me getting on him when something needed to get done, and him pointing out to me the things I shouldn’t stress.

Some of the countless memories that I will carry with me always include the all-night trip to Shreveport to show him the basics of Blackjack, taking in a Rangers game in the left-field bleachers at Yankee Stadium (followed by a wrong exit on the subway, resulting in a lovely late night stroll through Harlem), and my visit to see him in early May a week after his wedding. From Kevin Smith movies to various musical acts too long to list, a day won’t go by that I won’t be reminded of him. The things I’ll remember most about Joe: his sense of humor, intelligence, generosity, and an unwavering devotion to those he cared about.

While its tough to say goodbye to such a close friend, I’m glad that his suffering is over. He will be with me always, I’ll never have another friend like him.

Lori Ewen

May 29, 2004

Letter to Joe that I wrote for his Memorial Service:

Dear Joseph,

You have given me so many things. As I look back on our brief time together I am amazed at what I have learned about myself and about love. You showed me who I am. You have left me here not alone, but with a large, loving family that I would have never known were it not for you. You have given me the courage and the strength to move forward and to find happiness even though it will be hard to do. I hesitate to say I am going forward without you because I don't think that is true. I will carry your smile and optimism with me for as long as I live. I can still hear your voice telling me that I am brave and how proud I make you. I am sure that it will never leave me.

I would like to thank you for all of the little things that made my life happier. I will always remember my freshly washed and ironed chef whites you left hanging in the closet, the countless times my favorite candy bar was in the refrigerator, the fresh towels, pajamas and hot cocoa you made sure were waiting for me after a long shift at work, the really bad movies you always dragged me out to see. Thank you for learning to like Thai food because it is my favorite, for jumping in mud puddles with me, for teaching me the difference between inconsequential things and important ones, for being a great friend to my children, and for taping Viva LaBam for me to make sure there was always a laugh on hand. Thank you for being my teddy bear.

Finally, I want to thank you for loving me, treating me with respect and for making me your wife. I hope to always bring honor to your memory. I will always miss you.

Love,

Your Goofball

charley thomas

May 28, 2004

fran & i wanted to express our most sincere condolences to you and dianna and your family. may GOD bless all of you and help you dwell on the good times and memories your son provided you.

will be be thinking of you.

charley

Joe and his nephew Jackson

May 28, 2004

Joe and brother Josh

May 28, 2004

More Joe as a youngster

May 28, 2004

Joe as a baby!!!

May 28, 2004

Carolyn Caldwell Belew

May 27, 2004

Joe,

I graduated from North Side High School in 1962. We were classmates. I want to extend my sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your son. I lost a stepson to Lymphoma in 1997 and now my husband is battling Liver cancer which resulted from a skin cancer. I will remember you in my prayers. May God give you peace and strength during this time.

Carolyn Caldwell Belew

Jennifer Badger

May 27, 2004

Ok, I will go first. I have two very distinct memories that come to mind when I think about Joe. The first memory is about when I first saw him. I remember going to pick up my mom and him from the hospital after he was born. I remember that I was sitting in the back seat, and my mom handed me the baby to hold on my lap for the drive home (remember, this was 1976 - before car seats became mandatory!). I looked down, and all that I could see was blanket. It was November so it was cold and he was bundled up. I looked at that blanket for the longest time. This was my first real experience with a baby and I think I was afraid to pull the blanket back. But eventually I did, and I remember this tiny little face, sleeping peacefully, with SCRATCHES all over his face! At the time I didn't know that newborns tend to grab at their face and scratch themselves. I remember being surprised and concerned that he was all scratched up. I wish that the second memory was about something so simple...

The second memory is a new one - it was a conversation that I had with Joe at his wedding reception (some of you already know about this). We were both sitting down and talking, it was toward the end of the evening and Joe was looking really tired. I was asking about the radiation and how it made him feel and how he felt about continuing the treatments and he said "It's just prolonging this, I don't think I am going to make it". It was the first time I heard him say anything like this, and it was so totally unexpected. I think Joe knew he wasn't going to make it, but he tried to put on a good face for everyone else. He was so brave and strong during this awful time. I feel completely humbled by the experience of watching him leave this world.

Those two memories, each equally profound, are what I will carry with me forever (along with hundreds of others). I feel honored to have been there for the beginning of his life and the end of his life. I will miss him every day.

Wayne Ewen

May 27, 2004

As Joe's Uncle, I have many memories as he was growing up. I remember his sense of humor and his intensity. What stands out the most for me is his character, a loving and compassionate quality, which he had from the time he was very young. It grew with him as he grew. Without even knowing it, he added much to my life. I miss him a lot.