Frank C. Lee

He immigrated to Seattle, Washington in 1921 at the age of three. The family traveled to Idaho but was unable to find work there. They relocated to Portland, Oregon where he grew up with his mother, father, older brother David, younger brother Leonard, and four younger sisters: Mabel, Lani, Mary and Dorothy.

Frank attended Atkinson Grade School (Class of '32) and Lincoln High School (Class of '36), for which he attended his 50 year class reunion in 1986. He graduated from Oregon State University in 1940 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

After graduating from OSU, Frank worked for Bonneville Power (BPA) in Portland as an engineer. When World War II broke out, he joined the US Navy and served in the SeaBee's, the naval engineering and construction group. He was stationed at Adak, Alaska; Camp Parks, Oakland, CA; Crescent City, CA and Bremerton, WA. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

Frank operated an independent grocery store for 28 years. Buy Rite Grocery in Oak Grove, OR had a butcher shop and did home deliveries for customers. He worked long hours (twelve hour days, six days a week) before selling the business in 1976 and going to work for the family restaurant in Milwaukie, OR. He worked there at Lani Louie's until the restaurant sold in 1996.

In 1950 Frank married Bonnie B. Young. They had a daughter, Janet (Jeffrey Bryant), and three sons: Lester (JoAnn), Philip (who passed away in 1995) and Steve (Joanne). Now there are five grandchildren: Jason (30 years), Jaime (29 years), Benjamin (16 years), Katie (12 years) and Cameron (9 years). Frank and Bonnie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2000 with the family in Hawaii before the two of them departed for a cruise of the Hawaiian Islands.

Frank believed in community service and served on the North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce as Director and Treasurer for 16 years between 1960 and 1976. He was elected as Commissioner to the Oak Lodge Water District in 1962 and was re-elected for ten consecutive terms. He retired from the Board after 40 years of service to the community. In maintaining his heritage he also volunteered for the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and the Lee Family Association.

Frank enjoyed traveling. He and Bonnie traveled throughout the United States: Washington DC, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Cincinnati, Orlando, Miami Beach, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New Orleans, St. Louis, Toronto and Vancouver, BC. After retiring, they traveled in 1978 on a trip to Southeast Asia, visiting Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The couple cruised to the Bahamas in 1982, and set out again in 1997, this time to Northern China with granddaughter Jaime and friend, Bodee, where they visited the Great Wall, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Suzhou, and Guilin.

Frank enjoyed exercising and went to the gym three times a week. The treadmill and aerobic workouts were his favorites, but he also enjoyed ballroom dancing and, of course, dining. He also had an interest in watching sports, especially the Portland Trailblazers and the OSU teams. He leaves behind many to cherish his memories.

Services will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at Caldwell's, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home. If you wish, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to Adventist Hospice, the CCBA Chinese Language School, the Lee Family Association, or another charity of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Caldwell's, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home, Portland, OR.

Arrangements under the direction of Caldwell's, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home, Portland, OR.