* Sam Lee; Longtime County Grocery Store Owner

Sam Lee, a retired grocery store owner and longtime Ventura County resident, died Sunday at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard after a long illness. He was 79.

Lee was born April 10, 1921, in Canton, China, and moved to the United States to further his education. He later graduated from high school in San Francisco and moved to Chicago to work in his family’s business.

In 1948, he went back to China to marry Sau Han Chau, and the couple returned to Chicago in 1949.

Six years later, they moved to Ventura County, where he started the National Market in Ventura. After several years, he moved to Santa Paula and with his father-in-law owned Ventura County Market. Many Ventura County residents will remember him as the “man with the blue apron behind the meat counter.”

In 1980, he retired and enjoyed traveling with his wife and family.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, he is survived by daughters Jan Gin of Camarillo, Phyllis Lee of Los Angeles, May Lew of Torrance; sons Ed Lee of Torrance and Ted Lee of Agoura Hills; and four grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.

Services are scheduled at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Mayr funeral home.