Exhibit: Santa Barbara Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage, 1870s-1970s
Don (Donnie) Yee (1930-2011)
By Betsy J. Green
Donnie Yee in Olive & Gold, Santa Barbara High School, 1950
A Lifelong Athlete
Don Yee, known to everyone as Donnie, was born in Canton, in Southern China in 1930, but spent nearly all of his 80 years in Santa Barbara. He came here with his parents, Quan and Dan Yee.
Donnie attended Lincoln and Franklin elementary schools and Santa Barbara Junior High School. While a student at Santa Barbara High School, Donnie excelled in sports. He earned letters in baseball and track, and he had a high-profile presence on the high school football team that was remembered for years. In his obituary, the local paper wrote: “He was best known for his football exploits as one of the smallest players, but one of the fastest. Everyone who attended Santa Barbara High football games, enjoyed watching Donnie scamper and jitterbug around the field making opposing players miss their tackles. His entertaining football exploits started a love affair with the people of Santa Barbara that lasted a lifetime.” (Santa Barbara News-Press, January 25, 2011)
A Proud Marine
After graduating from high school in 1950, Donnie attended Ventura Junior College and played on the football team there. In 1953, during the Korean War, Donnie joined the U.S. Marines and worked his way up to the rank of Sergeant. He was proud of his time in the Marines and often wore a hat or jacket with the Marine insignia. When he returned home, Donnie attended Santa Barbara City College, where he played on the baseball team. He was also an avid golfer and once hit a hole in one.
A Career Helping Kids
Donnie began his working career at the Boys Club of Santa Barbara (now the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara) where he served as the club’s first Physical Education Director. He stayed with the club for 37 years, and later became a Unit Director.
Donnie married Kay Wong in 1975. The couple enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and abroad. After Donnie retired, he continued playing golf. When he passed away in 2011 at age 80, his family asked that in lieu of flowers, people donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara, a place close to Donnie’s heart.
Donnie Yee in action on the football team, 1949