Ben Lim, passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on July 23, 2018. The third of four sons to Tin and She Ng Lem, Ben was born on September 24, 1918, in Oakland, California. When he was three years of age, his parents decided to return to Canton (Guangzhou), China. He grew up in Canton and assisted in various aspects of his father’s businesses which included a successful and premier hat factory in the China market. Ben also assisted his father with his hotel located near the Pearl River in Canton. Since education was a top priority to his parents, he had the opportunity to attend boarding school and some university, which was interrupted by the Chinese-Japanese War. While in China, he discovered classical music and has enjoyed music all his life.
He married his loving wife Cynthia Shui Yill Wong in 1956 in Hong Kong.
Due to the communist takeover in China, Ben arrived in Texas in 1948. He started a neighborhood grocery store named Blue Star Food Market with Cynthia on Hardy Street. It was a successful family business where the entire family worked, including the children. He and Cynthia worked 7 days a week so their children could have a better life, and proceeded to move the family to the suburbs so they could have a better education. Ben always valued a strong family bond and a strong education. His business continued until he retired in 1980.
In his retirement, he enjoyed listening to classical music, reading, visiting the library with the grandchildren, and occasionally took Accounting classes at Houston Community College. He was an avid jogger and jogged every day well into his 80’s. He also enjoyed traveling with Cynthia and their friends to various destinations in the US as well as abroad. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren and watching them experience the different phases of life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his brothers David and his wife Mary, Robert and his wife Rita, and Jimmy.
Ben will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 62 years, Cynthia Shui Yill Wong Lim, and children, Morgan Lim and his wife Brigette, Connie Lim Gaw and her husband Perry, and Melanie Lim Greeley and her husband Aaron. He will be fondly and affectionately remembered by his 5 grandchildren: Jessica, Jonathan, Jasmine, Colette, and Camille.
Visitation and Services will be held as follows:
Memorial Oaks Funeral Home
13001 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77079
Visitation will be on Sunday, July 29, 2018, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Funeral Service will be on Monday, July 30, 2018 at 10:00 am
Should you so desire, donations may be given to Chinese Baptist Church or to a charitable organization of your choice in Ben Lim’s memory.
