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Gary Lawrence Chee

1959 - 2012

BORN

1959

DIED

2012

About

Garces Memorial High School University of California| Berkeley

Gary Chee Obituary

Gary Lawrence Chee December 9, 1959-November 16,2012 Gary Chee passed from this life into the life eternal at 10:33 a.m. on Friday, November 16, 2012. He is survived by his wife of nearly 27 years, Justina; four children Gabrielle, Steven, Joseph, and Sammy; father, Lawrence; and siblings Patty, Greg, and Michael. He is preceded in death by his mother, Vernette. Gary was born in Oakland and grew up in Sacramento. He graduated from Cal Berkeley in 1983 and moved to Bakersfield that year to take a job as an electrical engineer with the California Department of Water Resources. Gary was a do-it-yourselfer (his kids are convinced there is nothing he couldn't fix) whose favorite store was The Home Depot and whose favorite tool was duct tape. He enjoyed building things almost as much as he enjoyed taking them apart. He was baptized into the Catholic Church in 1984. He met his wife, Justina, at St. Philip the Apostle Church. They would marry and raise their children in the faith at the same parish. The wake and rosary will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21, at St. Philip the Apostle Church. The funeral Mass will be held at 2 pm. on Friday, November 23, at St. Philip. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Francis Parish School and/or Garces Memorial High School, to be put toward scholarships, can be made in memory of Gary. DOUGHTY-CALHOUN-O'MEARA www.bakersfield.com/obits

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Published by Bakersfield Californian on Nov. 20, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Gary Chee

21 Entries

MISTI RODRIGUEZ

December 11, 2012

TO THE CHEE FAMILY, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY...GOD BE THE GLORY! HE RAISED A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!

Matthew Chinakwe

December 3, 2012

My sympathy goes out to his family. I had the opportunity of working with and iteracting with Gary in his position as the chief of Engineering at DWR, San Joaquin Field Division. He will be greatly missed.

Matt Chinakwe

Martha Ball

November 27, 2012

My prayers and thoughts are with you. It was truely my previlege to know the Chee family. All four of the children reflect the goodness and faith of their father. May God bless and cherish each of you through this difficult time.

November 27, 2012

My thoughts and prayers for all the Chee family. His children truely reflect the goodness of their father. It was my pleasure to know Gary Chee and the family. May God bless and cherish you through this difficult time.
Martha Ball

Shirley Gray

November 26, 2012

Gary was a very good friend. I always enjoyed the talks we had. DWR lost a very dedicated employee and he will be truly missed. My sympathy goes out to his family.

Tracy Ching

November 26, 2012

Our condolences to the Chee family. We have only known the Chee's for over forty years in Sacramento. Larry and Vernette have always been the most caring and gracious people and it's very clear that the apple didn't fall from the tree with Gary. Please accept our prayers for the family.

Rotana Lim

November 26, 2012

To The Chee Family,
I just want to let you know that Gary will be forever in my thought and prayers, because he was a wonderful person and a dear friend to me. He will be forever missed.

Rotana and The Lim Family

The Photo is a picture of Gary and Rotana's hand in 1986 at the DWR Christmas Breakfast

Melody Creel

November 26, 2012

To Justina and Family, I work in the Purchasing Dept. for the San Joaquin Field Division at the Dept. Of Water Resources, I could always ask Gary for Advise and feel confident that the answer he gave me was correct and he could explain things to me to were I could understand. He was a very intelligent, thoughtful and caring person. He would visit Rotana Lim and I when ever he could for a laugh or two and share in some Cambodian Humor!
We will miss him dearly, but he will always be in our memories forever.
My Prayers will be with you and your Family, Melody Creel

Gary and Rotana's Hand at the DWR Christmas Breakfast 1986

Melody Creel

November 26, 2012

Kevin Allec

November 26, 2012

Gary was a great guy to work with. I worked with him starting in the early 90s and always enjoyed his insight and assistance. My prayers go out to the family.

November 25, 2012

Our Deepest Condolences to the Chee family. We missed to opportunity to meet Mr. Chee directly but our children attended school together. Mr. Chee appeared to give all of himself to help others. A true Christian. May the Angels escort him to Abraham's bosom. Our prayers go out to Mrs. Chee and his children. Respectfully, Mrs. Simmer and daughters, Jessica and Kelcie Jones.

Michael Bayne

November 25, 2012

Gary was a man who gave of himself and very seldom asked for anything in return. His involvement in church and family was an example for us all. His smile was infectious and his sense of humor often cured one of melancholy. He will be missed by all who knew him.

November 24, 2012

Gary was also Scout Leader for our son at St Francis School. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Family at this time.From the Elizagyen Family(Jose Nancy Eric & Julie)

Cheryl Dockter

November 23, 2012

The Church was packed as if it were a Christmas or Easter Mass and the coffin was a simple rectangular wooden box draped with a simple white cloth. Justina, the children and Mr. Chee each laid a red rose on the top before taking their front row seats. Five priests: Msgr. Ronald J. Swett, Pastor of St. Philip's, Msgr. Perry Kavookjian, Pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Msgr. Craig Harrison, Pastor of St. Francis Parish, Fr. Hector Lopez, Associate at St. Philip's; and Father James LaCasse, S.J., Sunday assistant at St. Philip's celebrated the Mass with both St. Philip's deacons assisting: John Masama and Mike Richard. Afterwards everyone was invited to come and join the family for conversation and food at the Hall. Truly, this was an exceptional and noble soul. May the angels and saints welcome Gary and may we all meet him again, in Paradise.

Robert Stewart

November 23, 2012

Gary was my friend and I miss him

Sherry Stone

November 21, 2012

Gary was a wonderful human being to be emulated. He was my son, Scotty's scout leader at St. Francis school and continued to be a scout mentor for Scotty through St. Phillips parish, all the way through Scotty's Eagle Scout ceremony. I can't tell you how sad and sorry I am to see Gary go, but I can tell you how sure I am he is with our Lord! God bless Justina and all of the children in this difficult time. From the Stone Family (Scott, Sherry, Melissa, and Scotty)

Carter and Sharon Knowles

November 21, 2012

You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Gary was very special to us. We admired him as a good Christian husband, father and friend. He was always there to help others. We will miss him greatly.

Julie Montgomey

November 21, 2012

Gary will be greatly missed. I always picture him with that huge smile on his face. Now he's smiling for God!

Brian Sorci

November 20, 2012

Gary will be greatly missed and well remembered. All of the Scouts and Scout leaders looked up to Gary. He was the essence of the leader we aspire to be. The Prayers of young Scouts, Pack 125 and the Sorci Family go out to the Chee Family. God bless Gary and all of the Chee family.

Jefre Bugni

November 20, 2012

Gary was my son's cubscout leader.....I can only wish to be the devoted father and leader that Gary was. His life should be an example for us all. God bless you Gary.

Bill Brackney

November 20, 2012

Gary was a pleasure to work with. My condolences to the family, he will be missed.

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