Davis Youzhong Chen

Davis was born in Anhai, China in 1932. He attended Nanjing University of Technology, one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in China. After graduating with a degree in Architecture and Urban Design, he held various statewide urban planning jobs in Fujian province. The majority of his professional career was with the Fujian Provincial Construction Bureau.

He came to the United States in 1979 to study English and American Architecture at Shoreline Community College (SCC) in Seattle, Washington. He worked numerous jobs including painting apartments, dishwashing, and landscaping to help support his family and to pay for his tuition. Upon completing his studies at SCC, he worked for an architecture/engineering firm. He was a member of the Seattle Chapter of Chinese American Institute of Engineering. In the late 1980’s he opened his own business in architectural design. By the early 1990’s his business had grown to include residential condo development and imports of marble and granite construction materials.

Davis retired in early 2000 and has since enjoyed his retirement until his passing. While in retirement, he enjoyed ballroom dancing, gardening, traveled around the world, reading novels, Chinese calligraphy and listening to Chinese folk music. He also enjoyed technology and used his iphone and ipad to share pictures and various interests with those close to him. Davis was especially proud of his grandchildren and cherished his time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son John Chen and granddaughter Lily. He is survived by his wife Shan Shan Chen, son Henry (Lynn) Chen, daughter Louisa Emery, sister Lishu Chen, grandchildren Melissa, Melinda, Luke, Isabelle, and great grandchildren Ariana and Lilliana.

A visitation for Davis will be held Friday, June 19, 2020 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Sunset Hills Funeral Home, 1215 145th Place SE, Bellevue, WA 98007. A graveside service will occur Friday, June 19, 2020 from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, 1215 145th Place SE, Bellevue, WA 98007. A burial will occur at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, 1215 145th Place SE, Bellevue, Washington 98007.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared on the Memory page for the Chen family.