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In Loving
Memory of
Our
Seattle Chapter lost a great leader on
June 24, 2012. A great memorial service
was held in his honor this morning, July
6, at Bonney-Watson Funeral Home followed
by a graveside ceremony and a luncheon at
the Sun Ya Restaurant.
Born December 1921 in Toishan County,
Guangdong Province, China and passed away
on June 24th 2012. Jimmy immigrated to the
United States arriving in Seattle in 1937.
He moved to Cincinnati, Ohio until
enlisting in the U.S. Army during World
War II. He attained the rank of Sergeant
and was a decorated veteran while serving
in the European Theatre Operations under
General George Patton. After being
honorably discharged, he returned to
Seattle and married his wife Helen in
1947. He is survived by his wife, Helen;
his three children, son John Yee and
daughters Carolyn Yee and Linda Yee
Hayashi and son-in-law Spencer Hayashi. He
is also survived by his elder sister, Mrs.
Chui Kim Tham, brother Henry Yee and
cousins Suey Yee and Mei Louie of Seattle
in addition to many close cousins, nieces
and nephews from Canada, Ohio, Hawaii, New
York, California and Hong Kong.
Jimmy's family moved to Tacoma in 1950
where he opened the Golden Dragon Cafe in
partnership with his good friend Takayoshi
Takato. In 1952 he was joined in
partnership at the Cafe with his sister
Nancy and brother-in-law George Fong. In
1971, he opened Jimmie Yee's Restaurant in
Lakewood, Washington. The restaurant was a
lively gathering place for many old and
new friends and often featured performer
Jerry Sun and his Las Vegas show revue.
During the 1980s, he joined the Pederson
Fryer Farms selling food products to many
Asian restaurants in the Puget Sound
region until he reached retirement.
Jimmy was deeply devoted to his family and
established many lasting friendships
throughout his life. He enjoyed good food,
travel and was an accomplished chef and
quick to share his restaurant skills with
family members and employees, mentoring
many of them so that they could start
their own restaurants. He was extremely
proud of his Chinese heritage and
traditions but also very proud to be an
American and will be greatly missed by his
loving family.
Funeral arrangements are coordinated by
Bonney-Watson Funeral Home located at 1732
Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122. Visitation
will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2012
between 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Memorial service
will be held at Bonney-Watson on Friday,
July 6, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Burial service
will follow immediately at Lake View
Cemetery.
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