Sunrise                                                                                                                                                                               Sunset

Sunday November 27th 1988                                                                                                                    Wednesday July 15th 2026

Rafael Melian Lee was born in Wheeling, West Virginia on November 27th, 1988, to his mother Tonya Denise Lee and father Luis Fonseca. On July 15th, 2026 Rafael gained his wings. He bade this world goodbye, relinquishing his physical presence from this life, thereby commencing his new life with peaceful, sweet serenity unto God.

Rafael attended school in the Tacoma School District on the east side of Tacoma, Washington at Sheridan Elementary, McLlvaigh Middle School, and last Lincoln Highschool where he graduated from in June 2007. After graduating high school, he continued his education at Eastern Washington where he studied computer science. In 2008 Rafael became a father to a beautiful baby girl Olivia Grace Lee and once more in 2012 to another beautiful baby girl Ava Doretha Lee. Until 2008 he was called son, brother, godbrother, uncle, cousin, but none of these titles made a mark more on his heart like Daddy. Instantly changing him from a boy to a man. His two girls were the absolute apple of his eye. They played dress up with their dad, they painted their dad’s nails and even did their dad’s makeup. At this point we can all agree he was the epitome of what we all understand a girl’s dad would be.

Rafael was an avid sports fan and gamer during his school years. Himself, his mother, and his best friend would camp outside of the stores at obscene hours waiting on either the latest video game to be released or the latest Jordan’s. His mom did not do those things to spoil him but rather show him how hard work pays off and to reinforce keeping up the good behavior and good grades.

Rafael was proceeded in death by his father Luis Melian Fonseca and by his maternal grandparents, Robert & Lucille Lee, and grandmother, Miguelina Rivera. Eight aunts; Victoria Mosby & Patricia King of Toledo Ohio, Constance Bell, Roberta Hunter, Rosetta Gordon, Paula Lee, Betty Ann Jenkins, Teresa Lee and one Uncle James Lee all of Wheeling, West Virginia.

Rafael Melian Lee is survived by his mother Tonya Denise Lee & step father Joe Bill Wilson of Tacoma, Washington. For Bragging rights his 101-year-old grandmother, Ms. Essie Mae Wilson of Los Angeles, California. Two daughters; Olivia Grace Lee & Ava Doretha Lee, and one godson Isaac Wolf Neal. His loving significant other Mary Araina Spice. Aunt/Mom Terrie Rivera & Uncle/Dad Elizer Rivera of Tacoma, Washington. Two aunts; Ella Lee & Viola Lee of Wheeling, West Virginia. Four uncles; Paul Lee, Victor Lee, Normon Lee all of Wheeling, West Virginia. George Lee of Atlanta, Georgia. Three aunts; Miriam Rolan, Cali Chimal (Felipe Chimal) & Sonya Solomon all of Tacoma, Washington. Three uncles; Mark Lee, Miguel Rivera, & Cruz Rivera all of Tacoma, Washington. Two cousins’ but raised as brothers; Marcus Lee & Kiivaun Lee. Four sisters’: Marissa Melian Fonseca of Cuba, Etlouisea J. Gabriel (Reginald Gabriel), Chicagi J. McHenry, and Chantee B. Ivory all of Tacoma, Washington. Three brothers; Luis Melian Fonseca of Cuba, Darryl Johnson, Jordan Gene Neal of Tacoma, Washington, one godsister Miriam Muhummod, one godbrother Clifford Jacare Krentkowski of Tacoma, Washington.