Te Yeh, entrepreneur and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, peacefully passed away on April 3, 2019, in the comfort of his own home beside his dear wife Hoa Yeh. As a member of the family’s first generation of immigrants in America, Te lived an extraordinary 85 years—leading his family away from the terrors of Communism and laying the foundation for better opportunities abroad.
Te, better known as “Yeye” by family and “Papa” by friends, was born in China on June 29, 1934. He was the youngest of 7 siblings born to parents successful in the import/export business. When Yeye was 3 years old, amidst the Second Sino-Japanese War in China, his family moved to Vietnam. At only 10 years old, he was engaged to Hoa Yeh. They were officially married in 1959 when he was 25 years old. In Vietnam, Yeye worked with his brother and sister in the business of trading watches, toys, and seafood. When communist forces attacked and seized control of the southern capital of Saigon in 1975, Yeye sent his wife and children to safety outside of the country with the U.S. military. Two years later, Yeye escaped to Malaysia on a small shrimping boat and made his way to the United States, reuniting with his family in Mankato, Minnesota.
Having arrived in a foreign country with no food, money, or shelter, the Yeh's were fortunate to receive the assistance of a Minnesota church that helped the family get back on its feet. While his children attended school, Yeye worked as a dishwasher at a local restaurant, delivered newspapers, and became a welder. A few years later, the family moved to Wichita Falls where Yeye opened a small Chinese grocery store that he, his wife and son Mitch operated. His other two sons, Nick and Mike, worked minimum-wage jobs at fast food chains. Together, the family members pooled all of their earnings, successfully managed by the financially-savvy Yeye.
In 1982, the family moved to Houston. Yeye opened an Asian clothing and toy store, then later a liquor store, while his wife opened a Chinese fast food restaurant called “Express Wok”—the first Chinese fast food delivery business in Houston. When his eldest son Nick launched Impression Bridal several years later, Yeye worked as their accountant until he retired.
Yeye enjoyed a comfortable retirement, surrounded by loved ones and traveling the world. In his later life, he loved watching Chinese TV, hanging out on his favorite recliner, inhaling his Chinese tiger oils, and spending time with family. His friendly appreciative nature, warm loving heart, and giant smile will be greatly missed while the image of Yeye, adorably dressed in his patterned button-ups, suspenders and grandpa-style flat cap will be forever etched upon our hearts.
Te Yeh is survived by his spouse Hoa, his 3 sons Nick, Mike, Mitch, and 6 grandchildren Ashley, Jordan, Brandon, Justin, Kevin, and Marissa.
His funeral services are being held at the Chapel of Eternal Peace at Forest Park on April 17, 2019. We appreciate your condolences and thank you for your attendance, as we celebrate the life and honor the legacy of our beloved Yeye. He will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all who knew him.
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