Gordon Cuoy Gee

Gordon Cuoy Gee, 96, at peace at home and surrounded by loved ones, joined his beloved wife Betty in heaven on June 25. The youngest of three sons, he was born on July 24, 1925 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Gee Hing Wo and Wong Ting Moy. His father died when Gordon was about a year old, eventually forcing his mother to take him and his brothers, Albert and Wallace, back to the Gee village in Guangzhou (Canton), China in 1928. Imagine a young widow making that long voyage with three young sons. Her love, tenacity and sacrifices were responsible for the successful legacy of her sons and generations to come.

During those youthful years in the family village, Gordon developed a life-long love of fishing and entrepreneurship. When daughter Molly and her husband Jeff visited the Gee village in 2012, a cousin still living there was quick to point out where Gordon had once had a small store. A highlight of the journey was seeing the magnificent fish pond that was central to so many of Dad’s stories.

Gordon was able to return to the U.S. as a teen-ager in March 1941, joining his brothers who had already settled in Houston. They paved the way with job opportunities at restaurants and grocery stores. Though his own schooling was cut short, Gordon prized education and he credited his teacher and principal, Mrs. Naylor and Mr. Bogart, respectively, with being instrumental mentors. Dad made sure we met Mrs. Naylor and her family and we heard many amazing stories.

In 1948, Gordon went back to China to find a bride through friends and a matchmaker. He was introduced to Betty Chen and their love story continued for 67 years until her death in 2015.

As a young man, Gordon held down two to three jobs at a time to support his growing family. In 1954, Gordon and Betty’s dream of owning a business became a reality. For the next 35 years, they worked side by side at Gee’s Restaurant, at Airline and Crosstimbers, where customer favorites included seafood gumbo, egg rolls and shrimp fried rice. The popular family business was a great place to bring up four children who watched their parents work hard to make a better life for them.

Gee’s Restaurant also became a social and political hub for the northside of Houston. Gordon was a generous, cheerful, friendly soul who was always engaged with the world and ready with questions or comments about current events and politics. He was a big thinker.

Gordon was one of the founding members of Houston’s Chinese Baptist Church (CBC) and he was passionate about growing CBC for future generations. The church was the cornerstone of his family.

He loved to tell stories of the kindness and good he witnessed over the years as Houston’s Chinese-American community grew and thrived. He was a fierce supporter and leader of the Gee Family Association and the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, organizations that celebrate family, culture and civic involvement.

He shared his love of the outdoors with everyone. He introduced Stephen and his friends to fishing and deer hunting. Anyone who got to know him soon learned of his rascally side and endured many a fishing or hunting tale. Gardening was another passion. He delighted in sharing with family and friends a bounty of fresh-caught fish or Chinese vegetables he had harvested. His gardening was profiled in a 2004 Houston Chronicle article.

Gordon’s family and friends will cherish their memories of the delicious times spent with him. His glorious smile will be remembered by all.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty and brothers, Albert and Wallace. He is survived by his children Molly Gee (Jeffrey Yip), Stephen Gee (Susie), Mildred Gee Bergman and Gary Gee (Michael DeVoll), grandchildren, Michael Wong (Adriana), Jodie Gee and Joey Gee, great-grandson, Michael Wong II, step-granddaughter Lauren (Alden) Katagihara, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made to Chinese Baptist Church, 900 Brogden Rd, Houston, TX 77024 or the Gee Family Association (GFA) Education Fund, c/o Tina Gee Walker, 6200 Inwood, Houston, TX 77057