Dick G. Yee

Dick Gim Yee was born on August 7, 1923, in Toisan (Taishan) County in southwestern China (Guangdong province). He moved to Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 15, to join his father in the laundry business. He did not know English when he arrived, but quickly learned to read with the help of church volunteers. Later he moved to Providence, Rhode Island, and then Washington, D.C. to work in the restaurant business. In D.C., he managed China Clipper, a nightclub with a capacity of 300, working every job except cook (he didn’t want to be in a hot kitchen all day). He also met and courted a beautiful young lady named Teen, whom he married in 1946. In 1949, they moved to Memphis, TN, and learned to run a grocery business. In the early years, they lived in the back of their un-air conditioned store. They worked 12-to-15-hour days, seven days a week—scraping and saving to pay their bills and raise three children. Dick was proud to say they always paid their bills on time. Later they endured numerous armed robberies and burglaries, which drove them to sell their store in 1977. Dick then took evening classes to earn his G.E.D., and worked for Baptist Memorial Hospital for several years before retirement. As this was his first job that required working only 40 hours per week, he and Teen had more time for their favorite hobby, fishing.

Dick was also the family cook, preparing delicious meals daily while at the store and at home. His grandchildren always looked forward to their Grandpa’s cooking, especially when he fried fish. He also enjoyed reading newspapers in English and Chinese, and read hard news publications such as The Economist with a dictionary by his side. He was a thoughtful citizen who voted in every election. He wrote many letters to his children and grandchildren, and always remembered to send cards (with a check enclosed) for birthdays and anniversaries. He attended Grace Chinese Baptist Church in Sugar Land, Texas, and thanked God for his good health and loving family.

Dick passed away peacefully at home on March 9, 2021, at the age of 97. He was predeceased by Teen in 2018. Survivors include their three children Norman (Betty), Raymond (Jacqueline), and Patricia (Tony). Their grandchildren include Norman’s daughter Jennifer (Phil), Raymond’s step-children Craig (Yosbel) and Justine (Barret), and Patricia’s sons Daniel and Ezekiel. Their great-grandchildren include Justine’s children Cliff and Avery. Dick will always be remembered for his diligence, dependability, and common sense; his love for his wife; and his pride in his children and grandchildren.