Michael Hing Yee

Michael Hing Yee

Thousand Oaks, CA

1938 to 2017

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and mentor. Michael, or "Mike" to his friends, was born in the village of Hing Young Lei in the Guangdong province of southern China. We consider him to have passed at 79 years young. He was born the first of four children to Frank Yee, who had already emigrated to the United States, and Won Har Fong. Mike came to the United States with his mother in 1947, just as World War II was winding down. They joined his father in Seattle, Washington where Mike had a newspaper route, worked in his family's grocery store, went to school and ultimately received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington.

He met his beautiful wife, May, at the Seattle World's Fair in 1962 and they were married in 1963. On October 27 of this year, they would have been married for 54 years. They first settled in Seattle until May convinced him to move to her native Southern California for the warmer climate. They lived in North Hollywood where they opened a liquor store, the first of many businesses together. They settled in Thousand Oaks in 1972 and never left. From 1973 to 1978, Mike and May owned and operated The Pot Gallery ceramics and plant shop on Thousand Oaks Blvd. where Mike was the head ceramicist. After that business, Mike went to work for the City of Thousand Oaks in the Planning Department. Next, Mike fulfilled his lifelong dream of being a restaurateur by opening the China Fresh restaurant in Newbury Park. After ten years of making delicious food and hosting karaoke nights, Mike retired and began his next phase as grandpa, world traveler and mixed media artist. Mike also started pursuing his dream of bringing a world class art and glass museum to the Conejo Valley. With like-minded members of the community, Mike helped found the California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks ("CMATO").

Sadly, Mike was not able to experience the culmination of this dream as he passed on October 18, 2017 due to circumstances arising from a routine medical procedure. Mike is survived by his wife May, son Michael, daughter Melodee (David Halm), grandson Matthew Halm and granddaughter Devin Halm (the lights of his life), brother Alfred Yee, sister Jeannie Yee, nieces Sandra Yee and Alana Yee, nephew Christopher Yee and extended family. He was a dynamic, generous and active man who loved life and lived it "his way." He will be sorely missed by his family and many, many friends.

A celebration of Mike's life will held on November 19, 2017 at 3:30 pm at Calvary Community Church, 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village, CA 91362, which will be officiated by Pastor Rex Holt. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to CMATO, in memory of Michael Yee, 1948 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.

Those attending the celebration are encouraged to wear their favorite color, in lieu of black, to celebrate Mike's colorful and adventurous life.