Charles Han Louie
February 14, 1924 - November 28, 2007
Obituary
Charles Han Louie ‘Charlie’
Charlie was born February 14, 1924 in Canton, China and passed away on November 28, 2007 at the age of 83.
Charlie first immigrated to Seattle, Washington with his father in 1930 when he was six. There he helped his father in the laundry business located in Chinatown. He graduated from Broadway High School then joined the U.S. Army during World War II. After scoring very high on the Army’s assessment test, Charlie was assigned to learn intelligence and electronic surveillance at the University of Iowa. Shortly Charlie was sent to fight in the Pacific, specifically the Philippines and Okinawa.
After the war Charlie attended the University of Washington graduating with Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering and Industrial Engineering. He worked for about ten years at Boeing. During that time he went back to China to bring back his wife, Amy Yet Tai Toy whom he had married prior to the war.
Charlie decided to become an entrepreneur while at Boeing. He accomplished this when he purchased and operated a successful Chinese restaurant in Federal Way. He later bought and operated another restaurant in SeaTac for a number of years until he retired.
Family was especially important to Charlie. He was directly responsible for bringing over many relatives and their families from China to the United States so they would have a better life. He was very close to his children and instilled in them the value of education, hard work, integrity and respect for others.
Charlie was also a very caring and compassionate person. Everyone enjoyed his easy-going nature and quick wit.
Charlie is predeceased by his wife, Amy who passed away on October 1, 1983. He is survived by five children; Stanton Jen, Jeannette, Annette Gary, Steven Kaileen and Stuart Kim and nine grandchildren Alexis, Lindsey, Taryn, Amy, Kai, Cyd, Max, Lianna and Randall.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at Bonney Watson Funeral Home, 1732 Broadway, Seattle from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Bonney Watson with military honors bestowed at the gravesite at 2:00 p.m. Charlie will be buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery located at 700 W Raye Street, Seattle.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association. www.diabetes.org
Annette,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
My deepest sympathies and condolences to all the family and friends of Mr. Louie.
I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting Mr. Louie in Seattle during one holiday period when I was visiting. It was wonderful to spend time with him, and I especially enjoyed visiting the “Louie Community Center” in Chinatown. I was touched by Mr. Louie’s kindness to share that space with me, as I could tell that this was a place where he felt very comfortable and happy, a place where he could be truly himself. I cherish that memory of being there with Mr. Louie.
Again, my utmost sympathies to all who loved Mr. Louie.
Hideki Yamada
West St. Paul, Minnesota
I did not know Mr. Louie, but have the pleasure of knowing his daughter Annette. That limited knowledge already persuaded me of what an excellent father Mr. Louie must be to have raised such an outstanding member of our community. His obituary only reinforced and expanded the respect I have for Mr. Louie and his family. I can only hope that your family garnishes a little comfort in your time of grief to realize the high esteem your family has earned in the Puget Sound region by the leadership, entrepreneurship and good citizenship, which Mr. Louie exemplified. Thank you.
Sending you thoughts and prayers