Name: Harry A. Nauman & Son
Address: Sacramento, CA

L-R:  Herb, Doris, Donald, Gloria,
Gim Ha, Ock Ting, Jeannie, Kristin and Robert
Sacramento, CA, 4/8/2012


Ock Ting and Gim Ha Family
Gloria (Left Middle) and Doris (Front Right)
San Francisco, CA, 4/6/1996


L-R:  Henry, Choy, Gloria, Jimmy and Ock Ting.  Late 1940s.

Gloria, Ock Ting and Edmund
The floor pattern looks similar to the one in the house that cousin Henry, Choy and children Gloria and Edmund lived in.  Early 1950s.


The style of the house is very similar to the one that cousin Henry lived in, along with wife Choy and children Gloria and Edmund.  Doris was not born yet.  The Gee family’s first home was located on 5th and P Streets, a mixed neighborhood with a large Japanese population at the time.  From 1950s-1960s, urban renewal replaced the downtown area with the Capitol Mall near the State Capitol.  Urban renewal started in Sacramento and spread across the country.  Both families moved to the west side of the city.



Picture of Ock Ting and Gloria at the park.   Late 1940s or early 1950s.

Gloria was first born child of Henry and Choy.  Edmund and Doris were born later.  Henry’s father (Do Chong Chee or Gee) and Ock Ting’s mother were brother and sister.  Ock Ting and Henry were cousins.  Ock Ting knew Gloria when she was a baby.  As she was growing up, Gloria always thought about Ock Ting and wondered how he was doing.  She remembered his Campbell Soup care packages.  She also met Ock Ting’s mother and liked her right away.  In 1962, when the Gee family moved to San Francisco, Ock Ting and wife Gim Ha would visit and bring along homemade dim sim.  We were amazed by the amount of food they brought. They were always a very pleasant couple.




Relatives
Picture of Henry's and Ock Ting's Mothers

3rd Middle:  Henry mother (Ching Yuet Gee); 
2nd from Right:  Ock Ting’s mother


PART 2 CONTINUED...

I have this recent very random memory of my gong gong that I always comes to my mind whenever I miss him. My other cousin Jenna had come to the house and brought him a cheeseburger after work, I was sitting at the dining table next to him, and he turned directly to me beaming and said in broken English “she makes $20 an hour in high school, wow!” And despite it being a ridiculously tiny interaction, his giant beaming smile showed me how much pride he has in his grand kids and it meant so much to me. 

I am reminded of how much my Gong Gong sacrificed for his family. I don’t know what he pictured his life to be or look like when he was my age, or what he had to give up in order to be here. But I’m here because of him and I couldn’t be more grateful. In honor of you Gong Gong, I promise to always work hard to feed and support my family, and always to ask my loved ones if they’ve eaten.

When I first heard that my gong gong passed suddenly, I swear I never thought it was actually possible. I thought he was invincible! My cousin Megan and I shared those sentiments- 

How many times has he fallen and bounced back as if nothing happened. maybe knowing that himself is what got him in trouble. Like me, he was stubbornly self sufficient, so I don’t blame him. 

For the past few years I have been harboring a pestering sense of shame for not knowing how to connect to my grandparents, and for not knowing how to speak the language they came here with. I know that my being born here in America wasn’t anything I could have controlled, but it didn’t keep me from feeling this guilt from sitting next to my gong gong and not trying to ask questions. 

A few days after my gong gong died, I came up to visit the family and my cousin Megan and I slept in the living room outside of Hoo Hoo’s bedroom. Early the next morning, she came out to sit in her usual corner seat on the couch where we were sleeping and was staring ahead at the photos on the wall in front of her. I woke to see that Megan had gotten up and sat on the floor next to her. In the quiet of that solemn morning, I found comfort and healing in watching my younger cousin just BE with her. Not trying to say the right things or make her feel better, not trying to tell her to go back to sleep but just quietly being. And I learned from her that morning, that I never needed to know exactly what to say or how to speak Toisan to love my grandparents. Because I recognize now that the way he loved us was through waving at us over to come eat, or slipping us a LaiSee with money in it, or in his big smiles when we made him proud or made him laugh. So rather than living with regret, I want to honor and remember my life with him for what we did have. 
(TO BE CONTINUED...)

Tribute to Ya Ya (Ock Ting Yee)
By Megan Yee Youngest granddaughter

You know when I told my auntie Kristen I wanted to say something for Ya Ya here it was hard to sum up what I was feeling, but all that came to my head was praise. I feel as though Ya Ya’s life was evidence of Christ all around. He traveled across the sea only eating oranges and took steps that were not mine to take. God guided him to a faithful wife and kids like my Dad who serves constantly. Then me and my cousins who are all growing in spiritual maturity and all of which I love very much. I speak to you and say look, look to what the Lord has made. A pastor that spoke on Tuesday stuck with me and he said what a joy it is to leave and think it was I who knew Christ. I love you Ya Ya your life has really just started and Jesus is right there next to you.  


"He was the Campbell Soup Man who brought us TV dinners, various soups and chicken pot pies.  Also. I (ie, Sonny) developed a liking to chilli-beans — I never had anything like it before.  In a sense, he expanded my food horizon!!

He was also the man who took us (with our mother) to buy various clothes before school started.  He provided insights as to what was needed and what were not.

He seemed to be available 
whenever our family needed help.  His willingness to help was greatly appreciated.  

Sonny

He was always such a caring person.  In my younger years, our family did not have a Thanksgiving feast, but Mr. Yee was so thoughtful, he would bring me Thanksgiving turkey. Anytime I visited at his home, he always made sure I walked away with a case of Campbell's.

I would see Mr Yee shopping occasionally in the grocery store with his wife.  He had a great smile and was friendly!

"Childhood memories are the summer family visits (to/from San Francisco) which included water melons and a large supply of Campbell's Soup . "

His big smile and hearty laugh. The kindness and friendship he extended. Watching him walk around surveying his property. The way he said my name, and the way he would announce himself when he would call on the phone by saying, “Robert, neighbor Yee”. 

I remember Mr Yee always being kind and saying hello when we were playing at your yard and house when we were little.  

"I remember all the neighbors on Merkley Way hanging outside during the hot summer months.  Our dad didn't come out that often but Mr. Yee would stay out and watch all the kids play kick ball, soccer, dodge ball, ring around the rosie, etc. 
In his later years, I remember his smile and would see him at church. He was always trying to remember which Louie sister I was. "

His warm welcoming smile and joy filled presence when visiting.

"My familiarity with the Ock Yee Family spans many decades!  Earliest memories are of riding in the big pink church bus to go to Vacation Bible School together.  The bus would drive in to Merkley Way and so many kids would come pouring out of the houses to board the bus!  Then because it was a dead end street, the bus had to back all the way out. A few years later, the youngest two, Melvin and Tina were in my nursery-kindergarten Sunday School class. And years later, the Yee kids were in the high school youth group or the New Life Singers that i worked with. The kids are so much a reflection of their parents, who always wore a smile on their faces and extended a hand to help, feed or care for them and anyone else who happened to be within arm’s reach!
Years later, Kristin and i partnered together to buy Jeanie and Steve’s house from them. They loaned Kristin the $ for her share of the down payment, and the realtor, who was a “friend of the family,” took no commission!  I came home one day to find Mr. Yee on a ladder  pruning a tree that needed to be cut back on the side of our house.
Extraordinary helpfulness and other-centered ness is a Yee family trait that has grown from Mr. Ock Ting Yee’s life-long example. He lived a long, happy life and leaves a sweet legacy for all of us who were blessed to have known him."

As a young college student, it was always a treat to spend the weekend with Kristin's family to get a break from the dorms. Mr. Yee would always make me feel so welcomed and loved. I felt as though I was coming home with his open arms, big smile, kind eyes and generous hospitality. His warm face communicated more than any words could ever say. He was truly a beautiful man!

Mr. Yee was always warm, friendly  and welcoming, always had a big smile on his face whenever we saw him.  It  was obvious he loved his family very much.  He will be greatly missed. ❤️

I remembered he often dropped off cases of chicken broth and other Campbell soups to my mother’s house.

Mr. Yee's legacy is his loving, wonderful family who is always there for each other. He was an amazing dad who set a good example for his family. 

I always remember Mr Yee for his warm smile that greeted our family with every visit , and that lights up a room whenever he was in it . 

Deeply grateful for raising such wonderful children who are such a good friends

Mr. Yee has been a father figure to me since I’ve known him for 45 years. 

Mr. Yee always had a smile.  He was always gracious and kind.  He was a Godly man.  

I used to remember after school, he was so nice to pick up Kary and he would invite all her friends a ride home. Plus, I use to remember all the Campbell soup products he used to give our family. He was such an awesome and hardworking father who was a great provider for the family.

Mr.  Yee was always welcoming me into his home when I was visiting Steve.  He was always friendly and accommodating.  He was a good provider,  husband, and father to his family.

Always smiling.  Sent us great Chinese food when I lived with Kristin in the UCDavis dorms and an apt afterwards.  Was mentally sharp til the very end.  I was so happy I got to see him 2 weeks before he died.

I really didn't know him very well, only from Kary who I've known most of my life. Whenever, I saw him, he always had the biggest smile on his face and even bigger smile when he knew I could speak a little Chinese. 💕 

A generously spirited and comfortable presence in all the decades I've known him, as patriarch of a family that consistently mirrored his resourcefulness and strong sense of self.    I only knew him as the father of my friend from junior high, but I've always looked upon Ock Ting Yee as a remarkably familiar and kind person in my life.

He always looked out for his family, a very generous person

Mr. Yee faithfully attended  and worshiped at CGBC and we loved his smile and joyful countenance.

Many years ago, I was over at your house playing with Tina. I remember Mr Yee serving a bowl of food to Mrs Yee. It made a lasting impression on me because of how well Mr Yee treated his lovely wife. I also remember Mr Yee always gave us (the Yee Family) a case of Campbells soup! 

I loved watching him enjoy his family and their time together, and always appreciated how he welcomed me in to all their gatherings.  

I remember his kindness, gentle and generous spirit. He always welcomed me.

Everytime i came home to visit, he would grab my car keys and fill up the gas tank and wash the car for me. 

Dad always surprised me with his  keen introspection and sensitivity of people and situation. His sense of humor also got him through life. 

He said to always bargain hard with a smile on your face.  Good advice!!

Although we did not have the pleasure of spending quality time with Mr. Yee; the time we shared family gatherings with Mr. & Mrs. Yee (along with Craig,Tina & family) were happy times, and memories held dear. Smiling SO bright at 97, is a true gift. Being engaged and in the moment, is beyond precious!

I was fortunate to live close enough that when Gong-Gong retired, he was able to take me to and from school, and swim practice after school. He’d encourage me to work hard in everything I did, and to do my homework, and to get good grades. There was always an emphasis on education. 
One of the things we shared was a love of food. This was how he showed his love for his family. I remember sharing treats with him from before school age (the sugar cane juice boxes), to fast food sandwiches he’d sneak for me after elementary school, to going to the local Thrifty for an ice cream cone. Though in hindsight, I think that may have been as much for him to get his favorite – a scoop of coconut pineapple ice cream. Gong-gong could speak English, and I could speak a little Chinese, but there was still a little bit lost in translation. More than once, he’d pick me up from school, excited that he had gotten me a special surprise. Cupcakes! I couldn’t wait to get home, only to find out they were raisin bran muffins. I’d fall for it several times, always hopeful for frosting.
Gong-gong spent many years looking after for me and caring for me, being there to babysit when I wasn’t in school. This is a time I cherish. I know having time with him as small children wasn’t a luxury my mom and aunts and uncles had as he was often working more than one job when they were young. I’m grateful for the time I had with him in the last few years, being able to help take care of him when he needed it, and I think he was grateful as well. Thanks for your care and love, Gong-gong. I miss you.

Dad, you will be dearly missed by so many, especially Mom, your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. You impacted our lives with so much love and always taught us to give and care for others. I know you had lived a long life with so many wonderful memories but now you are up in Heaven with God and looking over us. Our lives won’t be the same without you. I wish you were still here with us to share precious time with your great-grandchildren, Remy and Tatum. I know they would put a huge smile on your face. 
You will always be in my heart. I love you forever and will miss you dearly.

Dear Yee (Wong) Family,

In faith, God has led your loved one home to a special place in heaven...and in heartfelt prayer that your family will find comfort in His promise of everlasting life.

May your hearts hear the song of joy that heaven is singing even through the sorrow of your loss.

With much sympathy and prayers,
The Fong Family (your "old" neighbors on Merkeley Way)

Sophia & Marvin Toms								06/5/2023

Dear Yee Family ~

We are praying for you.  Mr. Yee (your husband, father & grandfather) was our next door neighbor on Merkley Way.  He was a good neighbor, always kind & helpful.  Countless ties he would help back out our family Oldsmobile car from our small tight squeezed garage when our mother was unable to and he often supplied us with cases upon cases of Campbell Soup at big discounts which vs children devoured as treats in comparison to the nightly Chinese soups that we had to eat.  In later years, what a joy & greeting to see your dad and mom together shopping at the local Sprouts & Bel Air.  They would remember me after so many year by name!  Your dad & mom have such keen memories and they were the best bargain hunters!

May God’s loving kindness and mercy sustain you in comfort, peace & hope until the day when you are reunited with much rejoicing and celebration in Gods’s Heavenly Home.

Love in Christ,
Sophia & Marvin


Robert Klein (Neighbor)								05/31/2023

This news breaks my heart.  Please know I am grieving with the Yee family tonight.  I am truly sorry for your loss.  I was incredibly fond of that man.  If there’s anything I can do to offer support, just say the word. Please let me know if there will be any kind of memorial/funeral. 

OBITUARY

Ock Ting Yee

October 10, 1925 – May 30, 2023

Harry A. Nauman & Son

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