Ethan Cone-Uemura

Our wonderful son, brother, relative and friend, Ethan Zachary Cone-Uemura, unexpectedly left us on Feb 26, 2014, at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, UT. He leaves behind his beloved sister Keila, his parents Dave and Karen, his Grandpa John, Grandma Marjorie, Aunt Jeannine, Uncle Craig and Uncle Neil, along with numerous relatives and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his Grandma Vivian.
Ethan was a multifaceted young man with a depth, wisdom and compassion beyond most of us, reflected through his words and deeds. Despite his physical challenges, Ethan ventured and succeeded at numerous sports: soccer goalie, fierce tae kwon do competitor, catcher for the championship Avenues Cubs, and most recently, rock climber extraordinaire as part of The Front’s competitive team.
Along with athletic prowess that ultimately his physical self could not sustain, Ethan possessed the uncanny ability to find and convey meaning in magical ways. A movie he co-wrote, co-directed and acted in was screened at The Tower Theater as part of Spy Hop’s Pitch Nic Festival. Another of his videos won the Editor’s Choice in The Salt Lake Tribune’s Harry Potter Fan Contest the summer of 2011, awarding him 2 tickets to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He chose Keila to accompany him. Ethan’s skills as a wordsmith made him a talented writer. His dedication to creative and journalistic writing, along with his keen sense of observation, ability to see beneath the surface, and sharp wit, were guiding him towards several career choices: movie critic, graphic novel author, writer for NBC, or rap artist spreading socially conscious messages to his generation and beyond.
His appreciation of music drew him to play alto, then tenor sax. He was a true audiophile, constantly downloading music for all of our listening pleasure. By far his favorite genre was rap and hip-hop, which he’d blast through his tiny but powerful speakers.
But most of all, Ethan cherished relationships. He appeared to be a quiet observer, but once he knew you, his sparkle, charm and mysterious ability to really see you, created a connection a few of us were fortunate to have experienced.
Ethan, you left us far too prematurely, but we are eternally grateful to have had you in our lives for almost 14-1/2 years. Although we can’t wait to be with you again, we will keep your spirit present through our own acts of compassion, social justice and inclusion.
We would like to thank PCMC, especially Kristen and David, for providing loving kindness in Ethan’s last moments.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014, 5:00pm at the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, 211 West 100 South, Salt Lake City. There will be a viewing Friday Evening, March 7, 2014 from 6:00- 8:00pm at Deseret Mortuary, 36 East 700 South, Salt Lake City. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Mountain America Credit Union (Memorial Account for Ethan Cone-Uemura). Your donation will go towards creating a lasting legacy in Ethan’s name. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.deseretmortuary.com