George Yen Lee

George was born in San Francisco Chinatown in 1921 but was raised in southern California. His father sent him to Pui Ching boys' school in Canton (Guangdong) to learn Chinese language and culture. When the Japanese began bombing Canton, he fled to Hong Kong and returned home. He attended Manual Arts High School and Los Angeles City College.

When the US entered World War II, he enlisted into the Army Air Force and worked as an airplane mechanic on the BT-13 trainer plane. He was placed in the Army Specialized Training Program to learn Japanese and cryptanalysis, and was then sent to Guam. He was honorably discharged, achieving the rank of staff sergeant.

He entered Stanford University. His Stanford buddy, Delbert Wong, was getting married and asked if George would dance with his Fresno country cousins, Josephine and Audrey Mar. This is when George first met Audrey who would later become his wife.

George graduated from the California College of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons which is today the UC Irvine College of Medicine. After his internship and residency at Los Angeles County USC Medical Center George opened an office in Lawndale. His medical practice included hospital rounds, delivering babies, and making housecalls. Dr. George offered osteopathic manipulation treatments to his patients. Many family and friends were recipients of these treatments as well.

George married Audrey at the USC church. They raised their family in Inglewood then Rancho Palos Verdes. For over 35 years every summer (with the exception of one), he treated the family to a memorable week at Stanford Sierra Camp at Fallen Leaf Lake.

In his free time, George enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing poker, gambling in Las Vegas, betting on the horses at Hollywood Park, shopping for Chinese groceries, going to Laker and Dodger games, and eating out at Chinese restaurants. He was known to be a night owl and have a sweet tooth, especially for See's Candy and ice cream.

He became a widower when Audrey died unexpectedly. With retirement, George turned over his practice to the younger Dr. Lee, his son Curt. George kept busy with ballroom dance lessons, playing golf and tennis, and cooking Chinese dinners. He looked after the welfare of his sisters and would visit shut ins and hospitalized friends. For as long as he could he would open the door for the ladies and serve his dinner guests.

As his Parkinson's progressed, George slowed down. Feeling a bit helpless, George found a wonderful companion, Betty Hueng, whom he married in 1996. For as long as he could, he would open his doors to serve guests with tremendous hospitality. While his health began to decline, Betty cared for George with incredible attention and love.

On December 25, 2017, George mustered the strength to join his family around the Christmas dinner table. He opened his eyes to take in the faces he dearly loved. A month later on January 30, 2018, he passed away peacefully at home into eternity with his Heavenly Father.

George outlived all his brothers and two of his sisters. He is predeceased by his first wife, Audrey. He is survived by his wife Betty, and his children, Mildred (Ken), Stuart (Sarah), Lorena (Michael), Curt (Vivian), and Brian (Dolly) and grandchildren Sherise, Sherilyn (Nate), Stephanie (Sean), Jennifer, Diana, Patrick, Kristen, Sophia. He is survived by his sisters May and Annie and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please do one of the following activities in George's honor:

Hand pick a 1 pound box of See's candy.
Enjoy an ice cream cone from 31 Flavors (Baskin Robbins) or a slice of fresh fruit pie from Marie Callender's.
Play a round of golf.
Place a bet on the Blackjack table.
Take a family vacation and take lots of photos.
Visit a shut in at home or a patient in the hospital.
Invite a neighbor to dinner.
Cut a rug on the dance floor, maybe a foxtrot, waltz, rumba, cha cha, or swing.
Learn to prepare Chinese food, e.g. curry beef stew, BBQ Chinese spareribs, steamed fish, steamed eggs, jai. Or go out for a Chinese dinner or dim sum.
Plant a rosebush or buy flowers. George's favorite rose was Double Delight