Uncle Ping was one of the last links we had with our father, Warren Kan Gee Keung Wong's arrival to America.  Uncle Ping's father sponsored many of the young men that came from their Nan Tong Village home in Canton, China in the early 1900's.  Uncle Ping was older than our father and was away at school at UC Berkeley, when our father and uncle James K. Wong arrived at Locke.  Uncle Ping's family graciousness and loyalty to the village sons and their families were the reason why our family has been able to be in America.  Thank you to the Lee family and the last time we saw Uncle Ping was with my dad, mom, my husband, and children in 1987.  You have had a rich life, a wonderful life story and we are grateful for you and your family always.  Elaine Kan Choy, Doreen Kan Soohoo, Pauline Kan Wong, Matthew Kan Wong & Warren Kan Wong, Jr.

I would go to The Big Store for a couple of dinner items and get lost in conversations with Ping. And my family at home wondering where I might be! He was always a conversationalist with a great story to tell. A wonderful man who will be missed in the Delta community. Blessings to DD, Lili, Journey and Forrest and the rest of Ping's family.

With childhood memories of summer time (the best of time) and our daily jaunts to the BIG Store for food but also for socializing, running down to the meat counter to find out what the Giants score was or who would be pitching that day, there was Ping gracious with humor and full of genuine interest in all who came into his store. With sincere pleasure having known him and Grace and his beautiful family, the memories will live on. Peace to you Ping Lee.

I met Mr. Lee probably in the late 70's. I went to Locke where my Dad was born, to take pictures. We met at the grocery store where Dustin Mar introduced me to the Mayor of Locke. Mr. Lee took me to buildings that were locked up but He had the keys to the City! It was wonderful, I got some great pictures. We found some antique tins that were probably from the 40's and 50's. I still have those tins. I will always remember your kindness, energy and wonderful smile! Because of you, the Delta will always have a big piece of my soul. Rest in Peace, Mr. Lee -I'm sure there is a big beautiful Delta up there.

Ping Lee will always be remembered as a man with a great smile and kind heart. I can't recall Ping ever showing signs of irritation or unhappiness.  It was also clear that he was a great father and wonderful neighbor.  He will be remembered as a example of how to live.   He will be missed.

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. You will always live in our hearts and prayers.

We met Gongong and the Kans on our trip to China in 2001 at the San Francisco airport.   We had a great time and have kept in touch with this  wonderful person ever since, speaking on the phone and visiting. This included his boyhood home in Locke and enjoying his famous cooking.  We will greatly miss him.

-Tu, Ann, Kent and Almira

Ping always told great stories.  We both loved to sit and listen to tales of his life.  He was a great credit to his community, friends, his children and grandchildren.  He will be missed by all of us who knew and loved him.

We were delighted to become next-door neighbors with Ping and Grace when they, together with Darwin and Lili, moved to Walnut Grove from Locke in 1989. We had come to know them from the Big Store; I can still picture Ping's smile and kind greeting and service behind the meat counter. Over the ensuing years, we often smiled at the sounds of Ping's (and D's) cheers and sighs while listening to the ups and downs of the Giants on the radio on the back porch. We delighted in the aroma from Ping's smoker, and fairly often were the beneficiaries of his culinary skills with that smoker. Ping and Grace became  "Grandpa Ping" and "Grandma Grace" to our daughter, who was born just between Journey and Forest. We had the pleasure of hearing about Ping's visits to China and of his benevolence to his family's hometown, in the building or renovating of schools and hospitals. We also enjoyed the acquaintance of Ping's and Grace's adult children and grandchildren, especially D, Lili, Journey and Forrest. It was always obvious that Ping and Grace were good teachers and fine examples of parenthood.  Ping was a decent man, an honest and entrepreneurial businessman, loyal to his ancestors, his family and his friends - old and new. He also had a pleasant sense of humor, and it was always fun to be with him. We will miss Ping in person, but his kind and gracious spirit will remain with us in memories.
Dave, Susanne and Mikaela Stirling

So many fond memories of your Dad (our Cousin Ping).  We'll miss our monthly chats, lunches, inspiring conversations about our families in the Delta and the family village in China.  I'll never forget your Dad autographing my book when I was around ten years young saying "keep this $10 and someday you can buy at your Dad's cheap" and then he took me to see the Sacramento Solons baseball game at Edmonds Field complete with a hot dog and coke.  Thanks for sharing him with all of us!  Say hi to Mom and Dad Cousin Ping.

We here in the Delta lost one of our finest; Ping was our mayor, grandfather to us all and our ambassador to the rest of the world. The river like life flows through here, and we are the lesser for his going down that river and leaving to us the carrying on of his legacy.  Henry Go M.D.

We will always remember Uncle Ping for his home made delicious roast porks, his vibrant personality, his great stories and his exceptional accomplishments in life. We all respected and loved Uncle Ping. We will miss him dearly. 
Huey, May and The Lee Family

i remember ping lee as a a small child at the Big Store giving me a weiner from behind the meat counter to nibble as we exited the market.  later on i came to know him as a witty and thoughtful community leader...the "mayor" of locke and father of jeff, one of my childhood friends.

To me Ping was "The Chef".  Great cook, great stories, and an example of how life should be lived.  Ping referred to me as "spagetti or BTO (big time operator)".  We had a lot of laughs and over the years he & Grace became our family and we became theirs.  We hold many fond memories of our life with the Lee family over the past 44 years.  We loved Ping Lee and we will miss him dearly.
Larry and Pat Chimenti

We will always remember Mr. Ping's vibrant personality and his gust for life.  How fitting it is that he should be the one who introduced us to duck tongues!
Jim & Betty Louie
Elk Grove, CA

What a great man!  I remember going to the Big Store often, just to pick up a couple steaks, and end up spending an hour or so talking with Ping.  I can say without hesitation that they were some of the best hours of my life.  When I would get back home my wife would ask, "Did you get lost?"  Lost in good conversation with a wonderful man, I believe.  Thanks Ping!  I know you will be well cared for in this universe.

OBITUARY

Ping Kan Lee

Harry A. Nauman & Son

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