Suey Thinn "Hank" Lee

Beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, and uncle, Suey Thinn “Hank” Lee, 94, passed away on October 21, 2019 in Houston, Texas. He was the owner of Kowloon Supermarket in Northeast Houston before his retirement at age 84.

Hank was born in Weehawken, New Jersey, to Kim Toy Lee and Jin Ho Lee. In the 1950s, he moved to Houston, where he enjoyed being part of the Dragoneers Chinese social club. It was widely known throughout his life that Hank was a quiet, generous man and a hard worker, from his early days helping at his family’s laundry in Corona, New York, to the decades he spent in the grocery business in Houston. He continued working hard after retirement, too, thinking nothing of carrying cases of bottled water from car to house when he was in his late 80s.

Hank was fascinated by everything about the cowboy lifestyle – the clothing, music, movies, food. He introduced his wife and children to the sounds of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton and loved to surprise family and friends by spontaneously breaking out in song at parties. “You Are My Sunshine,” “Hey, Good Lookin’,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Walk the Line” were some of his favorites.

In addition to music, Hank appreciated the visual and the kinetic worlds. If something combined the two, he was certain to be drawn to it. Christmas was his favorite time of year, with its many colors, blinking lights and decorations. Hank would never fail to immerse himself in things that struck his fancy, like a newfangled rain lamp, an electric punch bowl, sculptures and moving toys. He could stare at these objects for hours with a smile of delight on his face and say, “Cool! Cool!” He showered his family with gifts, and, for his wife So-King, he would bring home elaborate floral arrangements to mark every occasion.

Family was everything to Hank, from his wife So-King to his three children, Donald, Sharon and Diana, their spouses and his grandchildren. Photo albums show endless pictures of him with every one of his grandchildren - playing, eating, watching TV together. It is rare to find a photograph of Hank alone because he was always surrounded by family.

Hank is survived by Chui King “So-King” Lee, his wife of almost 60 years, son Donald Lee and daughter-in-law Kathy Lee, and grandchildren Austin Lee and Amanda Ray (and husband Caleb Ray), of Houston; daughter Sharon Lee and son-in-law Dr. Kit Chan, and grandchildren Alexandra, Christopher and Elliot Chan, of New York; daughter Dr. Diana Lee Keyhani and husband Dr. Kourosh Keyhani, and grandchildren Aiden and Cameron Keyhani, of Houston. Hank is also survived by 3 of his 11 siblings: Jackson Lee (and wife Wellesley Lee), of Houston; Jack Lee, of New York; and Harry Lee (and wife Lotus Lee), of Houston. The siblings who predeceased Hank were: Suey Lim Lee; Fung Oui Lee; Suey Nung Lee; Henry Lee (and wife Kitty Lee); John Lee (survived by wife Jeanne Lee); Suey Yuk Lee; Edward Lee (and wife Susan Lee); Florence Lee; and Joey Lee (survived by wife Mimi Lee). Hank is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces, all of whom encouraged his cowboy antics.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m., Fri., November 1, 2019, and funeral will be at 10 a.m., Sat., November 2, 2019. Both will at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13102 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77060, (281) 443-0063. Lunch will follow at 12:30 p.m. at China Bear Restaurant, 15000 I-45 North, Houston, TX 77090, (281) 233-9800.