Young Soo Lee

Obituary of Young Soo Lee

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Young Soo Lee, 79, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, November 16, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Young Soo was born on August 3, 1946, in northern Korea. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, he and his family fled south in search of safety. The war brought hardship and upheaval to his early life, but Young Soo's perseverance and determination carried him through. He became a dedicated student, graduating at the top of his high school class before beginning his career at Samick Musical Instruments Company in their import/export department. It was there that he met Hae Wook Byun, a coworker whose beauty, intelligence, and charm won his heart. They married in 1974.

In 1977, Young Soo was asked to open a Samick office in the United States. He and Hae Wook immigrated to Glendale, California, with their young son, Yoon Il (now David). Their daughter, Janet, was born in 1980. Shortly thereafter, Young Soo decided to pursue his longtime dream of owning a business. He loaded his family into a red station wagon and drove across the country to New York. Six-month-old Janet took the ride in a laundry tub in the back seat.

The family settled into a one-bedroom apartment in Flushing, Queens, and Young Soo opened a men's clothing store in Jersey City, New Jersey. Through endless hard work and an entrepreneurial spirit, he grew the store into a successful wholesale business, Supreme Casualwear Inc., which he owned and operated for more than 20 years. He designed dress shirts, suits, and leisurewear that were, at one point, sold in over 100 stores nationwide. His work took him around the world, collaborating with factories in Korea, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, and Thailand. In 1987, his success enabled him to move his family to Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, where his children grew up. Although he never had the chance to attend college himself, he proudly put both of his children through college.

Young Soo retired in 2006, and he and Hae Wook moved to Hope Mills, North Carolina, near Fort Bragg. (They chose North Carolina at Janet's suggestion, as she planned to move to Raleigh or Chapel Hill after law school. She never did-proof, perhaps, that one should be cautious when taking major life advice from a 26-year-old.) Young Soo embraced his new community and formed a close bond with a group of U.S. military veterans who had served in the Korean War. He also loved going to the North Carolina shore to boat and fish.

In 2022, Young Soo and Hae Wook moved to Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, to be closer to Janet and her family.

Young Soo enjoyed fishing, boating, and keeping up with political affairs in Korea. He loved good food and good drinks-especially Scotch whisky and vodka martinis-and had a deep appreciation for sushi. His greatest joy came from sharing meals and moments with his family.

Young Soo is survived by his beloved wife, Hae Wook Lee; his children, David Lee (husband of Julie) and Janet Lee (wife of Andrew); his cherished grandchildren, Robin and Zoe; and his siblings, Gil Soo Lee, Geum Sook Lee, and Jin Soo Lee.

A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM (Noon) on Friday, November 21, at R. Strunk Funeral Home, 400 Main Street, Phoenixville. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be offered at rstrunkfuneralhome.com. All arrangements are being handled by R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc.

Click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3092871608?omn=86472366259 (Password: 1946) to join the services via Zoom.

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David) Janet Janet

Supreme Casualwear Inc.

Janet Janet

Janet

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David Lee Julie), Janet Lee Andrew), Robin Zoe, ·

Phoenixville R. Strunk Funeral Home(400 Main Street)

rstrunkfuneralhome.com R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc.

Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3092871608?omn=86472366259 1946)