Tun Lim LEE

LEE, Tun Lim a husband, a father and grandfather, had passed away on the early morning of August 10, 2017. He was surrounded by his wife, children and their spouses, and grandchildren.  Mr. Lee was born in Hoy Ping, China.  He was married Anne for nearly 58 years He spent most of his life in Tucson where he raised five children. He attended Safford School and completed his education only through the 9th grade.  He was drafted in the US Army on April 2, 1953. He attended Basic Training in Fort Ord, California. He has received the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.  He was a cook for the Infantry during the Korean War. As a US Army Reserve, he also worked as a Meat Cutter in Daly City, California.  He returned to Tucson to work his grandfather's grocery who had arrived in America sometime in the 1880's to build the American Railroad. He also ran La Fiesta Market for his uncle for a short period before courting Anne, his wife. He traveled from Tucson to Vancouver BC by car in 48 hours for Anne.  He stayed in Vancouver BC for three months to court and marry Anne. The couple migrated back to Tucson and purchased Joe Tang's Market and three other locations in Tucson and created the Empire Food Market chain. He continued to work his market until he passed. Empire Food Market is located in the Iron Horse Neighborhood. He was an active member of the Tucson Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Ying On Labor & Merchant Association. He was President of the Lee Association of Tucson and a member of the Chinese Cultural Center.  Mr. Lee was also a fisherman. He took his children and grandchildren and friends fishing.  He enjoyed cooking, gardening, and hunting.  He is survived by his wife, Anne; their children, Tina (Rick), Calvin (Brenda), Alvin, Melvin (Tanisha) and Stacey. They also have seven grandchildren Amanda, Ryan, Loren, Cory, Brandon, Shelby, and Iris.  Memorial Services are to be held at the chapel of the East Lawn Palms Mortuary & Cemetery on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. A VA Service is also planned for his burial site.  The family is asking in lieu of floral arrangements that donations be made to Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, The American Heart Association, and The University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center. Arrangements by EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY & CEMETERY.