Moon Il Lee

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Reverend Moon Il Lee (이문일) on January 7, 2026, at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife, Yun Ja Lee (이연자), his three brothers (Young Il, Chung Il and Ki Il (Mark)), his four children (Mar, Samuel, Anna and Grace) and seven grandchildren. Reverend Lee was preceded in passing by his father Reverend Ki Nam Lee (이기남 목사), his mother Kyung Ja Kim (김경자) and sisters Sook Il (Susan) Lee Gustafsson (이숙일) and Jung Il Lee (이정일). His father was a pastor and Director of Moranbong Orphanage and Nursing Home and his mother graduated as a music major from Ewha Womans University.

Reverend Lee was born on May 8, 1943 in Pyeongyang, North Korea. In 1948, he and his father escaped along rugged terrain to the south and were later reunited with the rest of the family who also escaped. In 1950, the family was uprooted again from Mokpo to Busan due to the Korean War. He served in the Korean Army from August 1964 through August 1967 where he voluntarily joined the Engineering Unit and served in the Vietnam War from August 1966 to June 1967.

Reverend Lee immigrated to San Francisco in 1969 to join his older brother Young Il and father Reverend Ki Nam Lee. His father founded San Francisco’s second Korean Christian church, San Francisco Korean Covenant Church, 성약 교회 (currently 상항 서머나 교회). His wife Yun Ja joined him shortly after, and they married in 1971, living initially in San Francisco, then Daly City and eventually settling in Alameda, CA.

In addition to owning and operating a construction and roofing business (M.Y. Lee Construction, later JSY Company), Reverend Lee followed in his father’s footsteps to become a pastor. He graduated from seminary school at Patten College in Oakland in 1996 and was later ordained and served as pastor for Bethel Christian Church in the East Bay.

Known for his cheerfulness, humor, faithfulness, modesty and wisdom, Reverend Lee dedicated his life to supporting his family, church members and those in his greater community. He is remembered by many for his tireless acts of service and willingness to help all those in need.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 12 PM at Korean Community Christian Church 우리 교회, 4500 Redwood Rd., Oakland, CA 94619.