Tong Lee

Tong Lee will be missed and remembered as a soldier, survivor, friend, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather to many.

Born in the mountains of Laos to a farming family, like many young Hmong men, Tong became a soldier during America’s Secret War. In 1975, when the Americans left the country, Tong and his family were left behind among the hundreds of thousands that had been abandoned to a declaration of genocide by the incoming communist government.

Traveling through the jungles of Laos to avoid execution and find peace, Tong and his family arrived in the refugee camps of Thailand. In 1986, Tong and his family resettled to Fresno, California with the help of his daughter sponsoring the family over. There, he returned to the life he knew as a boy among the fields, growing crops like tomatoes, snow peas and more, to provide for his family. In 1991, Tong moved his family to Minnesota to reunite with his brothers and sisters.

Tong Lee passed away in the late night of December 2nd, 2021. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, wisdom, caring nature, and love. His legacy will live on, being survived by his wife, three sons, four daughters, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.