Jem Yee's Obituary
Jem Yee passed away July 5, 2018 in Oakland, CA. He was 76.
He will be remembered by his wife of 43 years, Lucille, children Jaime and Jonathan (Michelle), three grandchildren – Jalen (8), Ella (5) and Liana (8), sister Minnie Lou (Charlie), brothers Ward and Joe (Sue) Yee, and an extended family of nieces and nephews.
Jem was the youngest of 10 children born to Wally and Hong Shee Yee in Youngstown, OH. Growing up he worked in the family laundry business. He attended South High School, where he served as Student Body President. In 1961, he left Youngstown to join his brother Ward in Southern California and enrolled at Pasadena City College. From there he transferred to the University of California, Berkeley. An interest in world travel brought him to study at San Francisco State University, where he received his degree in International Transportation. In 1968 Jem moved to Hayward for a job at the California State Automobile Association, where he met his future wife, Lucy, while on the job. They married and settled in Castro Valley, where they devoted themselves to raising their two children, Jaime and Jonathan. Jem was a fun husband and hands-on father who mentored his son through the YMCA program ‘Indian Guides’ and coached baseball, basketball and soccer. He shared his daughter’s love for music and enjoyed playing duets on his trumpet. Jem volunteered with the East Bay Youth Athletic League, and with his wife Lucy, joined the East Bay Chinese Tennis Association, where they made many lifelong friends. Jem retired from CSAA at age 55 and traveled to Mexico, the Caribbean, Belize, and China. He was a longtime fan of the Golden State Warriors, Oakland A’s and Raiders and worked at the Oracle Arena and Oakland Coliseum as an usher for 20 years. On his days off Jem enjoyed hiking, playing cards and tennis, tending to his freshwater aquarium and listening to oldies on his portable radio. He was known for throwing big poker parties and dancing the jitterbug at family weddings. Jem loved to sightsee and made it to three continents in his lifetime. The highlight of his travels was a Family Reunion cruise to Alaska, where he played cards till the sun set – and rose – and achieved his goal of seeing bald eagles, polar bears, and orcas in the wild.
Jem is preceded in passing by his parents, Wally & Hong Shee Yee, brothers Sam, Foo and Bo Yee, and sisters Lilley Lee, Dailey Yee, and Jeane Lee.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA on August 11, 2018 at 2 pm. Colorful attire and good cheer is encouraged. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oakland Police Activities League or to Jem’s family ℅ Lucille Yee @ P.O. Box 20481, Castro Valley, CA 94546.
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