James Share Lam—Wake Service, Friday, November 5, 2004, 7:00 PM
On December 12, 1931, James Share Lam was born to Charlie and Ping Lam in the village of San Tao, Guo Jang District, Sun Wui County, Guangdong Province, China. By the time James was six years old, the family moved to Guangzhou so that he can attend school. Escaping the danger of war in 1940, the family moved to Macao where James attended a Christian school and eventually completing his high school education back in Guangzhou.
In 1948, James and his family came to the United States when he was 17 years old. They settled in Needles, California where his parents operated the Grandeur Café. James worked at the restaurant while also attending school to learn English. He basically taught himself how to write in English.
Before James was permitted to immigrant to America, he stayed in Hong Kong where he met Mamey Chang. After a time of a letter-writing relationship, James married Mamey in 1953 in Hong Kong and returned with her to America to help run the café.
The life history of James Lam is that he was never afraid of making a home for himself wherever life led him. From humble beginnings in the village of China to Needles, California, James was eager and ready to make the best of the situation. He always worked hard and played hard so that he may fully take full advantage of every situation.
After settling in Needles, James and Mamey, began to start their new family in a new country. Daughters Judy was born in 1954 and Chris in 1956. When the family moved to Los Angeles for one year, son Jack was born in 1957. Returning to Needles, sons Don was born in 1958 and Ken in 1961.
Seeing that there were more financial opportunities in the big city of San Francisco, James moved his family in 1964 where they owned and operated the JC Coffee Shop located across from the Sheraton Palace and later the Orange Crate Restaurant and Deli. He worked 15 hour days to become a successful entrepreneur of his community. He became a culinary connoisseur claiming that “the best Chinese food is made” in Hong Kong and his favorite fine food were crepe suzettes.
Over the next twenty years, James learned about “city life” and became successful in the restaurant business when in his retirement he was able to offer his insights and advice to others who were interested in business, real estate, and investment ventures. He became active in the Kong Chow, Lim Family, and Bow On Tong associations. He also held key leadership positions as president and treasurer of the Kong Chow Association and president of the Chinese Six Companies.
In the John 14 passage, we read that Jesus promised that our hearts should not be troubled because Jesus said that in his Father’s house there are many dwelling places. Jesus was going to prepare a place for each one of us. Wherever James Lam traveled in life, he made a safe and worthwhile dwelling place for his family. Before he died, James received Jesus Christ in his life as his Lord and Savior. We know that James traveled to yet another dwelling place—now with his God in heaven.
On October 28, 2004, James Share Lam died peacefully at home in San Francisco only to return to his heavenly home with God. He is survived by his wife Mamey of 51 years, his mother, Ping C. Lam, his children Judy and Joel Obayashi, Chris Bush, Jack and Gina Chann Lam, Don and Lori Lam, and Ken Lam. James has 9 grandchildren whom he was very fond of and who will continue the legacy of this family for many generations to come. They are Leman, Kristopher, Nick, Cari, John, Caroline, Daniel, Alexander, and Taylor.
James Share Lam lived a successful and productive life because wherever life led him, he was ready to seek the opportunities to learn new things, to work hard, and to express his thoughts with conviction. He realized that we live in an interdependent world where we can learn and teach each other so that in the end, we can all benefit together. Just as he was helped by others, he committed himself in helping new immigrants to get their first starts as well. James valued the richness of family and social gatherings, preserving traditions and passing those values onto us. As people who are still living in this world, we pray that we may learn from James Lam—to live our lives fully and faithfully knowing that in time, God will also have dwelling places for us as well.
James Share Lam—Funeral Service, Saturday, November 6, 2004, 10:00 AM
On December 12, 1931, James Share Lam was born to Charlie and Ping Lam in the village of San Tao, Guo Jang District, Sun Wui County, Guangdong Province, China. By the time James was six years old, the family moved to Guangzhou so that he can attend school. Escaping the danger of war in 1940, the family moved to Macao where James attended a Christian school and eventually completing his high school education back in Guangzhou.
In 1948, James and his family came to the United States when he was 17 years old. They settled in Needles, California where his parents operated the Grandeur Café. James worked at the restaurant while also attending school to learn English. He basically taught himself how to write in English.
Before James was permitted to immigrant to America, he stayed in Hong Kong where he met Mamey Chang. After a time of a letter-writing relationship, James married Mamey in 1953 in Hong Kong and returned with her to America to help run the café.
After settling in Needles, James and Mamey, began to start their new family in a new country. Daughters Judy was born in 1954 and Chris in 1956. When the family moved to Los Angeles for one year, son Jack was born in 1957. Returning to Needles, sons Don was born in 1958 and Ken in 1961.
Seeing that there were more financial opportunities in the big city of San Francisco, James moved his family in 1964 where they owned and operated the JC Coffee Shop located across from the Sheraton Palace and later the Orange Crate Restaurant and Deli. He worked 15 hour days to become a successful entrepreneur of his community. He became a culinary connoisseur claiming that “the best Chinese food is made” in Hong Kong and his favorite fine food were crepe suzettes.
The life history of James Lam is that he was never afraid of doing hard work to support his family. From working at his parents’ Grandeur Café in Needles to owning and running his own JC Coffee Shop and later the Orange Crate Restaurant in San Francisco, James was eager to work and become successful. His life motto was “Work hard, play hard.” If there was anything worth doing, it should be done to “the absolute best of your ability” and to never settle for less.
Over the next twenty years, James learned about “city life” and became successful in the restaurant business when in his retirement he was able to offer his insights and advice to others who were interested in business, real estate, and investment ventures. He became active in the Kong Chow, Lim Family, and Bow On Tong associations. He also held key leadership positions as president and treasurer of the Kong Chow Association and president of the Chinese Six Companies.
In the Matthew 11 passage, we read that Jesus comforted his disciples who were weary and carrying heavy burdens and that he would give them rest. When we learn from Jesus, we will discover that he is gentle and humble in heart and that we will find rest for our souls. Before he died, James received Jesus Christ in his life as his Lord and Savior. We know that James doesn’t have to work so hard anymore because by following Jesus, his yoke is easy and his burden is light.
On October 28, 2004, James Share Lam died peacefully at home in San Francisco knowing that God has given him eternal rest. He is survived by his wife Mamey of 51 years, his mother, Ping C. Lam, his children Judy and Joel Obayashi, Chris Bush, Jack and Gina Chann Lam, Don and Lori Lam, and Ken Lam. James has 9 grandchildren whom he was very fond of and who will continue the legacy of this family for many generations to come. They are Leman, Kristopher, Nick, Cari, John, Caroline, Daniel, Alexander, and Taylor.
James Share Lam lived a successful and productive life because wherever life led him, he was ready to seek the opportunities to learn new things, to work hard, and to express his thoughts with conviction. He realized that we live in an interdependent world where we can learn and teach each other so that in the end, we can all benefit together. Just as he was helped by others, he committed himself in helping new immigrants to get their first starts as well. James valued the richness of family and social gatherings, preserving traditions and passing those values onto us. As people who are still living in this world, we pray that we may learn from James Lam to live our lives fully and faithfully knowing that in time, God will also give us rest. Jesus said, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The Committal Service
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believs in him may not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:25-26)
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, we commend to God’s merciful care our brother, James Share Lam; and we commit his body to this resting place: earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Blessed are the dead who…die in the Lord…they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them. (Revelation 14:13)
Closing Prayer
God, our Maker: you made our brother, James Share Lam, in your own image; you set his feet on a sojourner’s experience from China to America; you watched over him along the way to believe in Christ Jesus as his Lord and Savior. As you lovingly received and welcome him to the ranks of the redeemed, we pray that you would continue to guide our sojourner steps so that at the appointed time, we might join James Share Lam in the communion of the saints—forgiven, transformed, and fit for our new life with the Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Benediction
Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever.” (Rev. 1:17-18)
Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.