Harry Yee Chan, Jr.

Harry Chan, Jr. passed away on January 23, 2021 in Norman, OK. He was born on August 9, 1924 in Gorgas Hospital, in the Panama Canal Zone, to Harry Chan, Sr. and Rose Chan. He graduated from Balboa High School, Class of 1942. He attended Canal Zone College, and then the University of Michigan, graduating with a degree in Engineering. He returned home and went to work for the Fuerza Y Luz (Power and Light) Company. Harry met Thelma Oyler, who was a nurse working with Harry’s sister, Betty. Harry and Thelma were married in the Margarita Union Church. Together they raised two sons, Bruce and Jim. In 1972, shortly before the government of Panama nationalized the Fuerza Y Luz Company, Harry went to work for the Panama Canal Company. He worked various assignments in the Maintenance and Locks Divisions, retiring in 1986. He and Thelma made Austin, TX their retirement home, where they enjoyed the fellowship and camaraderie of many wonderful friends from the Canal Zone. They also enjoyed travelling, visiting friends and relatives everywhere their sojourns took them. Harry’s other passion was being a faithful fan of the Michigan Wolverines. After Thelma passed away in 2008, Harry moved to Norman, OK, where he was able to watch his grandkids grow up. He enjoyed seeing all of their school, sports, theater, and dance events. Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Chan, Sr, and Rose Chan; his sisters Irene Paulding, Betty Snow, and Beverly Williams; his wife, Thelma Chan; and his son, Jim Chan. He is survived by his sister, Doris Etchberger, of Dothan, AL; his son, Bruce Chan and his wife, Sharon Chan, of Norman, OK; his grandchildren, Rachel Chan and Ryan Chan; and numerous nieces and nephews.