Born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1922, James Lew was the second youngest son of immigrant Chinese parents. He served in World War II as a corporal in the U.S. Army Air Force. After the war, he attended and graduated from the University of Southern California. A gifted teacher, he taught legions of aspiring immigrants English as a second language in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Before retiring, he taught in the continuation program at Lincoln High School. As a humanist, he stood for peace and self-determination of all peoples. He was a founding member of the US-China Friendship Association. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Isabel d’Argence Lew, his three children, James Lew, Maritza Lew and Celina Lew and six grandchildren, Aneliese and Alex Castro, Zoë and Zephone Lew, and Jared and Jamie Wong and his sister, Mona Lisa Wong.
