Nyia Bee Lee

Nyia Bee Lee (Nyiaj Npis Lis) passed away on August 31, 2020 at the age of 75 in Chico, CA. He was born on September 2, 1944 to Boua Chee Lee (Npuag Tsig Lis) and My Xiong (Mim Xyooj) in XiengKhouang, Laos. He is of Hmong descent. He is the youngest of 7 children. He is survived by his children; Juliette Lee, Judy Lee, Victor (Kelly) Lee, Bobby Lee, Jerome (Tong) Lee, Linda Lee; his grandchildren, Vaann Lee, Eli Lee, and Arya Lee; his sister, Mai Song Lee; and his brother, Tong Cha Lee. May M. Lee is the mother of Nyia Bee's children. Nyia Bee completed grade school in Vientiane, Laos and Sydney, Australia between 1950 and 1970. He studied in Australia for 7 years and obtained a Degree in Accounting. Nyia Bee came to the United States in 1979 and furthered his education. He earned a AA Degree in Social Science at the Modesto Junior College, AA Degree in Social and Behavioral Science at Butte College, AS Degree in Paralegal/Court Personnel Prelaw at Butte College, AA Degree in Management & Marketing at Butte College, BA Degree in Political Science at CSU, Stanislaus, MA Degree in Social Science at CSU, Chico, and Doctorate in Doctor of Natural Health at the Clayton College of Natural Health. He was very passionate about higher education, and always encouraged his children to go to school. After his studies in Australia in 1970, he returned to Laos and started working at the Logistics Office in the Defense Department. His other occupations included, a Bookkeeper at the World Vision of Laos, a Director for the Auditing and Advisory Department under the Lao Ministry of Trade and Industries, a Translator in the NongKhai Refugee camp in Thailand for U.N. officials, U.S. Congressman, and ambassadors of Australia, Canada & U.S., and an ESL Teacher & Social Worker for the Lao Family Community, Inc. Aside from school and work, he also volunteered his time to serve the community. He was a board member for the Hmong Christian Denomination from 1988 to 1996, President of the Hmong New Year Celebration Planning Committee in 1984-85, Advisory board member of the Santa Ana Health Department in 1982-83, and a board member of the California State Advisory Council on Refugee Assistance and Services from 1981 to 1983. As a young man, he enjoyed playing soccer, tennis, volley ball, bowling, badminton, and table tennis. He received a trophy for tennis while in college, and was an avid soccer player for 20 years. He has traveled to several countries, including Australia, Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia. As he grew older, he found joy in fishing and golfing. The few years before he fell ill, he enjoyed spending time with his children camping and fishing. He is a man of many talents. He spoke 5 languages, including Lao, Hmong, English, French, and Thai. He can play several instruments by ear, including the accordion, guitar, piano, harmonica, and the Hmong violin known as, xim xaus. In 1978, Nyia Bee's family was forced to flee Laos to avoid persecution by the Communist Pathet Lao. They swam across the Mekong River in hope to find asylum in Thailand. Despite the war trauma, Nyia Bee was a Dreamer and a Scholar his entire life. He never stop learning. His ideal job was a type of government position, because he liked public administration, laws, economics, and politics. His dream was to one day use his educations, intelligence, wisdom, and knowledge in politics, economics, and freedoms to form a political party consisting of educated people to regain his former homeland from the communist control and develop it as best as possible. He is preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, and 1 sister. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who