Toon Lee, MD
October 30, 1927 ~ February 7, 2017
Toon Lee, 89, of McLean, Virginia, passed away on February 7, 2017. His beloved wife, Linda, by his side. Loving and devoted husband of 56 years. Much loved father of Christina (Mark), Woodrow (Maureen), Cynthia (Stephen), and Andrew (Renee). Loving and proud grandfather of Aileen, Ryan, Jennifer, Kyle, Alex, Anabelle, Claire, Curtis, and Patrick.
Toon was born on October 30, 1927, in the village of Tai Shan, Guangdong, China, to Lee Sun Wah (Davis) and Lee Tom Chun Lin. He emigrated to the United States in 1948, at the age of 17 with his father and mother. His younger sister, Wendy, would join them a few years later. They lived in San Francisco's Chinatown where his younger sister, Emma (Eddie), was born. Six months later, on Thanksgiving Day 1948, the family moved to Washington, DC, where they settled and his two youngest sisters,, Edith (Gene), and Enna (Tom), were born.
Toon attended McKinley HS in Washington, DC, but did not graduate until after serving in the US Army during the Korean War. He was drafted and inducted in 1951. He served as a corporal for 18 months as a translator for the United States Army Military Intelligence at the 38th Parallel. He was honorably discharged on August 21, 1959, with a Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, an UN Service Medal, a Korean President Unit Citation, and a Merit Unit Commendation.
After graduating from McKinley HS, and with the aid of the GI Bill, Toon attended the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. He graduated in 1960, with a degree in pharmacy and a degree in zoology, and subsequently began working for People's Drug Store. After working for a year as a pharmacist, he decided to make a career change and become a medical doctor. The spring before starting medical school at the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Toon traveled to Taiwan to marry his sweetheart, Linda, who planned to attend Drake University, also in Des Moines, Iowa. During medical school, they started their young family. By June 1965, Toon and Linda had moved back to the East coast with 2 diplomas and 2 babies, Christina and Woody. They lived in Philadelphia for a year while Toon completed his medical internship. In July 1966, they moved to McLean, Virginia, and Toon began his medical career in the DC public health system as a medical officer. He worked in the new methadone/detox program and the Lorton Penitentiary Medical Clinic. In 1967, Toon opened his own medical practice in Washington, DC's Chinatown next door to his parents' house on I Street, NW. An import part of his medical practice was providing both medical and social services to the Chinese community. During this time, his young family increased by 2 with the addition of Cyndi and Andy. Dr. Lee's DC practice expanded greatly with the addition of patients from Maryland and Virginia. And in 1977, he opened a second office in McLean, Virginia.
After practicing medicine for 50 years, Toon retired in 2007. He and Linda traveled extensively to places including New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Alaska, and Europe, and returned to Tai Shan several times.
During his long medical career, Toon was also extensively involved in promoting local, national, and international interests. He served as the local president, national president, and was a senior Elder in the Lee's Family Association. He was a founding member of the DC Lodge of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA) where he also served as the President and a Grand Representative to the national meetings. Toon was on the Board of Directors and the Loan Committee of the Lee Federal Credit Union. He was a President and Senior Advisor of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA).
Toon was a supporter and a medical volunteer with the Chinese Community Church of Washington, DC. He was also a founding member of the Chinese Medical Association.
He was a Senior Advisor to the Taiwan Overseas Affairs Commision. He was also a Board Member of the DC Downtown Partnership. Furthermore, he was on the Board of Directors of the National Capital Area Community Foundation.
Toon enjoyed the joyful commotion of our big extended family, including his 4 children, 9 grandchildren, 20 nieces and nephews, great grand nieces and nephews, sisters, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law. Toon's favorite activities included tending to his plants, spending time with his family, and grilling in the summer time. He will be dearly missed by all those whose lives he has touched. His legacy and accomplishments will be forever treasured.
Viewings will be held on Friday, February 17, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Money & King Funeral Home. 171 W. Maple Avenue Vienna, VA 22180
A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church. 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd. McLean, VA 22101
Interment will follow at Washington National Cemetery. 4104 Suitland Road Suitland, MD 20746
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chinese Community Church of Washington DC. 500 "I" Street, NW Washington, DC 20001. Online condolences and fond memories of Toon may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Toon was born on October 30, 1927, in the village of Tai Shan, Guangdong, China, to Lee Sun Wah (Davis) and Lee Tom Chun Lin. He emigrated to the United States in 1948, at the age of 17 with his father and mother. His younger sister, Wendy, would join them a few years later. They lived in San Francisco's Chinatown where his younger sister, Emma (Eddie), was born. Six months later, on Thanksgiving Day 1948, the family moved to Washington, DC, where they settled and his two youngest sisters,, Edith (Gene), and Enna (Tom), were born.
Toon attended McKinley HS in Washington, DC, but did not graduate until after serving in the US Army during the Korean War. He was drafted and inducted in 1951. He served as a corporal for 18 months as a translator for the United States Army Military Intelligence at the 38th Parallel. He was honorably discharged on August 21, 1959, with a Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, an UN Service Medal, a Korean President Unit Citation, and a Merit Unit Commendation.
After graduating from McKinley HS, and with the aid of the GI Bill, Toon attended the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. He graduated in 1960, with a degree in pharmacy and a degree in zoology, and subsequently began working for People's Drug Store. After working for a year as a pharmacist, he decided to make a career change and become a medical doctor. The spring before starting medical school at the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Toon traveled to Taiwan to marry his sweetheart, Linda, who planned to attend Drake University, also in Des Moines, Iowa. During medical school, they started their young family. By June 1965, Toon and Linda had moved back to the East coast with 2 diplomas and 2 babies, Christina and Woody. They lived in Philadelphia for a year while Toon completed his medical internship. In July 1966, they moved to McLean, Virginia, and Toon began his medical career in the DC public health system as a medical officer. He worked in the new methadone/detox program and the Lorton Penitentiary Medical Clinic. In 1967, Toon opened his own medical practice in Washington, DC's Chinatown next door to his parents' house on I Street, NW. An import part of his medical practice was providing both medical and social services to the Chinese community. During this time, his young family increased by 2 with the addition of Cyndi and Andy. Dr. Lee's DC practice expanded greatly with the addition of patients from Maryland and Virginia. And in 1977, he opened a second office in McLean, Virginia.
After practicing medicine for 50 years, Toon retired in 2007. He and Linda traveled extensively to places including New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Alaska, and Europe, and returned to Tai Shan several times.
During his long medical career, Toon was also extensively involved in promoting local, national, and international interests. He served as the local president, national president, and was a senior Elder in the Lee's Family Association. He was a founding member of the DC Lodge of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA) where he also served as the President and a Grand Representative to the national meetings. Toon was on the Board of Directors and the Loan Committee of the Lee Federal Credit Union. He was a President and Senior Advisor of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA).
Toon was a supporter and a medical volunteer with the Chinese Community Church of Washington, DC. He was also a founding member of the Chinese Medical Association.
He was a Senior Advisor to the Taiwan Overseas Affairs Commision. He was also a Board Member of the DC Downtown Partnership. Furthermore, he was on the Board of Directors of the National Capital Area Community Foundation.
Toon enjoyed the joyful commotion of our big extended family, including his 4 children, 9 grandchildren, 20 nieces and nephews, great grand nieces and nephews, sisters, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law. Toon's favorite activities included tending to his plants, spending time with his family, and grilling in the summer time. He will be dearly missed by all those whose lives he has touched. His legacy and accomplishments will be forever treasured.
Viewings will be held on Friday, February 17, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Money & King Funeral Home. 171 W. Maple Avenue Vienna, VA 22180
A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church. 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd. McLean, VA 22101
Interment will follow at Washington National Cemetery. 4104 Suitland Road Suitland, MD 20746
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chinese Community Church of Washington DC. 500 "I" Street, NW Washington, DC 20001. Online condolences and fond memories of Toon may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Dear Andy and family- I share in your sadness on the passing of your dad. But I also share in your pride for the wonderful life he lived as an immigrant who served our country and created a foundation to raise a beautiful family. I too took a path from pharmacy to medicine! And I recall clearly the dedication you and Renee had to your dad’s DC practice. We at JHCP are honored to have helped provide a medical home to assure his legacy.
To the Mavity family, Our thoughts and prayers are with today as you celebrate the life of your cherished father and grandfather. With love Michelle and Richard Menhinick
Linda – We are deeply saddened by the passing of your wonderful husband. Over the many years that we have known him we have come to admire and respect his competence and abilities as a DO more with each passing year. When treating us he would take into account the whole being rather than just the localized ache or pain. Our deepest condolences on your loss as he will be missed.