Thomas Jee

1929 - 2021

Thomas C. Jee
January 20, 1929 - February 2, 2021
Thomas C. Jee passed away peacefully on February 2, 2021 at home in San Francisco.

He was born in Toisan, China to Jee Kok and Fong Fook Neng. His family migrated to New Guinea during World War II. He yearned to pursue the American dream, and reached there via service with the US Merchant Marine from 1945-52. After settling in San Francisco, he met Dorothy Quan, who would become his devoted wife.

While working at Caltrans, he earned an AA degree and his Professional Civil Engineering License. His work was focused on the SF-Oakland Bay Bridge and many other steel bridges in California. He went on to work at TY Lin International, Sverdrup, and Faye Bernstein & Associates. In 1997, he formed Thomas Jee & Associates. His firm was the lead project designer for the Golden Gate Bridge Seismic Retrofit Phase 2 South Approach Structures Project that was awarded the 2007 ASCE Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award. In 2003, he received a US patent for his design of an earthquake proof expansion joint.

In 1949, he attended the US National Men's Tennis finals match at Forest Hills between Pancho Gonzales and Ted Shroeder. It inspired him to teach himself to play and coach his sons, all fine competitive players. He was an excellent player as well, imparting his tennis knowledge with others and playing well into his 70s. Additionally, he was an avid wine collector, a meticulous gardener and a classical music aficionado.

Despite his humble beginnings and through hard work and determination, he accomplished much in his life. He encouraged others to do the same. As a WWII veteran, he was extremely proud of his oldest son, Mark, who graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1977.

He is survived by wife Dorothy, children Mark (Angela), Stephanie (Terry), Michael (Olena) and Mitchell, 5 grandchildren, 2 brothers and 5 sisters, and many nieces and nephews. A private service was held with immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in his memory to the Foundation of the City College of San Francisco Chinatown Initiative. More information can be found at https://foundationccsf.org/donation/.