Through it all, Ross never lost hope and though he had as much right as anyone, he never complained. He refused to stay in his hospital bed and walked the hospital's corridor for exercise, and he welcomed visitors, even though he was often barely conscious.

But the leukemia finally was too much even for Ross' spirit and will, and he died Friday at The Queen's Medical Center. He was 22.

"He went through some very difficult times, there's no doubt about it," Lloyd Unebasami said. "But he just took it all. He just said, 'We know we got to do it. Don't tell me about it, do it.' "

"As a dad, I never knew my son would be that great," he said.

Ross Unebasami was a senior at Roosevelt High School when he found out he had acute lymphoma leukemia, which doctors said was treatable. A self-described "band geek," Ross was one of the top high school saxophonists in the state.

He also was involved in sports and student activities and served as chairman of the State Student Conference. After he was diagnosed in January 2000, many fellow student leaders became his biggest supporters.

In August 2002, blood tests showed that Ross was cancer free. He enrolled at the University of Hawai'i and became a member of the UH Jazz Ensemble.

"He basically started life and was having a fantastic life, going to school and doing all the things that a 20-year-old wanted to do," Lloyd Unebasami said.

But in February 2003, the leukemia returned and an even stronger series of chemotherapy couldn't stop it. Ross had a bone marrow transplant in March, but he developed complications.

Lloyd Unebasami said it was very difficult to see his son suffer. But he said he was inspired by Ross' determination.

"I don't think we would realize anybody has that kind of inner strength," he said. "His mom and I are divorced, but we went 24-7 with Ross and he really didn't want anybody else."

Kazue Unebasami said her grandson was always a nice, quiet person. When he was younger, he used to tell her that he couldn't visit her too often because she would always give him money.

She visited Ross about two months ago in the hospital.

"The last time I went, he was sitting up on the bed so I said, 'Ross, how are you?' and he said, 'Oh, good.' Then I said, 'Long time you didn't give me a big hug,' so he sat down good and then he hugged me. I told him, 'Grandma loves you, so take care of yourself.'"

Unebasami is survived by his father, Lloyd; mother, Mary Ann Lee; stepmother, Phyllis; stepfather, Lee Matsui; sister, Liann; stepsister, Mika; paternal grandparents, Richard and Kazue; and maternal grandparents, John and Harriet Lee.

Visitation at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu, 1822 Ke'eaumoku St.; service at noon.