Mr. Soo Hak Lee was born February 25, 1938 in the historic city of Kyungju, Korea and passed away in his sleep on March 26, 2025 in Irvine, California. He was 87 years old and joined his beloved wife, Mrs. Young Ja Lee, who passed away in 2018.

Mr. Lee is survived by Susan Nakyung (daughter), James Wonhi (son), Michelle Hyeonseon (daughter-in-law), and three grandsons: Justin Jaehoon, Calvin Jaehyuk, and Spencer Jaemin. Mr. Lee was the youngest of five sons, and had two younger sisters. He is survived by his youngest sister, Mrs. Myung Hae Bae of Chicago.

As a graduate of Sungkyunkwan University in Korea, Mr. Lee worked in government administration in Seoul before immigrating to the United States in 1974. He lived and worked on the northside of Chicago, but raised his family primarily in Morton Grove, Illinois. He was once an assembler at Schwinn Bikes, a welder for the International Harvester Company, ran a neighborhood convenience store and tavern, a gold jewelry business, a coin laundromat, and invested in real estate. His various business ventures took him from Chicago to Evanston and Palatine, as well as New Jersey. In early 2001, after the birth of his first grandson, he happily retired to Irvine, California.

In his retirement, Mr. Lee loved golfing, playing the Korean game of baduk, and writing poetry. He enjoyed trips to Russia, China, Thailand, Costa Rica, cruises to Alaska and chancing his luck in Las Vegas. An excellent driver well into his 80s, he was always happy to chauffeur his wife and grandsons. He will affectionately be remembered for his love of snacks and animal videos, hugging and kissing his grandsons, and his accidental Youtube channel.

A funeral service for Mr. Lee will be held Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 10:30am at McCormick and Sons in Laguna Hills. A lunch will follow at 12:30pm at ZIP Korean Barbecue in Tustin.

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