Young Il Lee

Young I. Lee, 85, a longtime resident of downtown Chicago and formerly of Palatine, IL, passed away peacefully at home on August 16, 2025, with his beloved wife by his side. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Young was the second child and first son of Im Duk and Bock Young (Park) Lee. From an early age, he was captivated by how things worked, often disassembling household devices just to put them back together again. After graduating from Seoul High School, Young moved to the United States to study Physics at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He later completed his degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Missouri at Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology). As the first Korean Electrical Engineer to be hired by ComEd, he inspired other Koreans to follow him. He dedicated more than three decades of his career to ComEd (now Exelon), retiring in 2001. A man of quiet integrity, Young was humble and reserved but always held true his core values. After adapting to American life, Young extended his attention to his family in Korea, encouraging his younger siblings to pursue higher education in America, while all their other family members were still in Korea. He guided them to navigate a new culture and build a future. When he saw a fellow Chicagoan in danger on a Metra train platform, he intervened, risking his own safety to protect him and others surrounding him. He also saved a stranger in medical distress in Chicago’s downtown, by holding him up to prevent his collapse until help arrived. These actions highlight Young’s commitment to helping others, even at the risk of his own safety. In both private and public life, he exemplified his dedication to his family and other humans around him. After retirement, Young enjoyed daily biking along Lake Michigan and immersed himself in Chicago’s rich cultural scene. Although many of his friends invited him to golf games and his father was an excellent golfer, Young found little interest in the sport. Instead, he took on numerous home improvement projects and maintained a lifelong curiosity for new gadgets and technologies. With his wife, Helen, he grew a love for the arts, traveling the world, visiting historic sites and museums, and attending operas, concerts, and theatre performances. The couple also enjoyed spending time at their second home in Miami. In his later years, Young showed immense resilience as he battled Lewy Body Disease. He was lovingly cared for by Helen, his devoted wife of 55 years, and a team of dedicated caregivers. He is survived by his children: Helan (Clay) Lee-Garrard, D.O. of Kirkland, WA, and Edgar (Julie) Lee of Hunts Point, WA; and by his cherished grandchildren: Isabelle Meejin Garrard, Savannah Lee Garrard, Audrey Michelle Haewon Lee, Vivian Annie Gia Lee, and Claire Sophia Jiwon Lee. Young is also survived by his brother, Young Jin (Sunny) Lee, and lifelong friends Hyun Koo Cho of New York and Hyun Sik Hong of Seoul. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters (Hae Sook Paik, Young Ja Tong, and Young Ok Lim), and the family’s beloved pug, Joey. A private funeral and burial will be held at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithout borders.org/. Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-318-1305 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.

Young Il Lee

July 25, 1940 - August 15, 2025