Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

The oldest son, Wayne Yip was born in Canton, China, to his mother, Toy King Chan, and his father, Sue Ka Yip, on August 1st, 1952. He was a toddler while in China and the family soon relocated to Hong Kong. In childhood, Wayne was close with his seven siblings: Mary, Linda, Janice, Eva, Annie, David, and Kenny. In 1965, when he was 13-years old, the family relocated to the United States to a small town by the name of Ione, before eventually settling in San Francisco.

Wayne's father became well known quickly in San Francisco Chinatown because he was well respected within the Chinese community. He was a Martial Arts Master who owned a Kung Fu and Lion Dance studio in the city. Wayne assisted his father at the studio, which played a huge role throughout his life. He was disciplined and his life was structured. He learned so much from his father and became very talented at handling the drums and performing the lion dance. It was a talent he would pass on to his son, Dustin, decades later.

Wayne was athletic, and in high school, he played basketball on the school team. In fact, he won two MVP Awards in basketball. He loved the game so much; he also played in organized community leagues.

Wayne adapted well to life in the United States. In fact, he was the first one to learn how to drive in his family. But, it was a social gathering that would then change his life forever. This is where he met a 17-year old girl by the name of Annie who was looking for a dance partner to do "The Roach." Coincidentally, Wayne was the only one who knew how to do the dance. From then on, they both enjoyed dancing and had a lot in common.

When wartime arrived, the draft went into effect. All of the young men were being drafted into the military. Wayne received his draft notice and enlisted with the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Before being deployed, Annie and Wayne had a banquet and married in a traditional Chinese wedding. There was no time for a honeymoon because Wayne was heading overseas with the Navy. Wayne served his country with pride working on the border patrol with the Navy from 1970 to 1973.

During that time, his beautiful daughter, Erica, was born. Annie sent letters and photos of their daughter overseas. After Wayne finished his service honorably, he returned home to San Francisco. The young family then got an apartment as he got his first job with Montgomery Ward where he was an Auto Mechanic.

With the help of the GI Bill, Wayne was determined to earn his Aircraft Mechanic License. He went to school during the day and worked at Bank of America at night. He also apprenticed as a mechanic at an ambulance company. After obtaining his license, he landed a job at World Airways as an Aircraft Mechanic.

During those years of building his career, the couple also added to their family joy with the births of their daughter, Tiffany, and their son, Dustin. With three wonderful children, their family was complete.

In 1979, the family bought their first home in San Francisco. It was the same year that World Airways transferred him to the Los Angeles area. In 1981, the family relocated and bought their home in Lakewood. After ten years with World Airways, a friend told him about an opening in the Aerospace Industry. Wayne was hired by McDonnell Douglas in Quality Control and rose to the position of Senior Data Designer at Boeing. Professionally, he spent more than 25 years collectively in the Aerospace Industry.

Through it all, his most important roles were to be a devoted husband and father. He was fiercely passionate, protective, and loyal. At home, their children had responsibilities, homework came first, and the children were expected to excel in school. It was a traditional upbringing as he was very family oriented. Dinners were enjoyed together and everyone had to eat at the table. He took great lengths to ensure his children were raised with proper etiquette, such as respecting your elders and being well mannered. These characteristics were very important to him and he emphasized this to his children.

Wayne's biggest passion was sports. He loved Sundays because he could watch sports all day long in his favorite recliner. Sundays to him meant "football and beer." His favorite sports teams were the Los Angeles Lakers, the San Francisco Giants, and the 49ers. He was such a huge 49er fan that when Erica moved out of the family home, he turned her room into a 49er shrine. He enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, San Diego and San Francisco over the years.

Wayne saw many milestones for his children through the years. He went to all of Dustin's basketball and football games. He was like Dustin's own personal coach. He attended all of their children's high school graduations and he saw Dustin graduate from college. He saw marriages and the births of his grandchildren, which he was very proud of.

Wayne was a very generous man. He would occasionally help the homeless, not by giving them money, but by buying them a meal. Coach John Wooden said, "You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you." With that advice, Wayne's children followed in their father's footsteps.

Wayne also prepared his children for the future and to protect family. He often asked Dustin, "Did you lock the front door?" He told him one day he would be the man of the house and "to keep your eyes and ears open." He was a father who taught lessons to his children on a daily basis.

With many favorites in life, Wayne liked listening to Motown music and he loved reading newspapers. His one-time favorite beverage was Scotch on the Rocks as he liked his glass three-quarters full of ice and half full of Scotch. That's how meticulous he was. Through the years, Wayne and Annie enjoyed celebrating their wedding anniversaries by dining out or taking trips to Las Vegas. Wayne enjoyed experiencing different kinds of foods, but most especially he loved Chinese food. With his passion for trying new foods, he encouraged his children to do the same and to always try everything once. He was thoughtful of his family and co-workers and he liked taking people out to eat. His favorite place to eat was Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles.

The year prior to Wayne's cancer diagnosis, the family got a golden retriever as a surprise for Dustin's birthday. They named the dog Keno. Wayne taught Dustin how to take care of the dog and honestly, Wayne trained that dog to perfection. He was very proud of Keno. He'd walk him three miles around the park, but before he took him on that walk, Wayne brushed Keno for an hour. He wanted everyone to see how beautiful his dog was and they noticed. Keno didn't even need a leash, he'd walk by Wayne's side as a faithful companion. For such a strong man, Wayne had a soft heart for dogs.

In 1999, Wayne faced his toughest day when he was diagnosed with liver cancer. But, he was a tough man and a fighter. After the diagnosis, he told Annie, "I always wanted to own a Mercedes before I die." So, they bought a C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan Mercedes. He loved that car and kept it like new.

In 2002, he was so happy when he received a liver transplant. When you look back over everything he went through in life – moving from China to the United States, his Kung Fu training, and serving during the Vietnam War – you quickly realize that Wayne was a man of strength. After the transplant, he never took pain pills, no matter how much pain he was in. He celebrated the day of his transplant every year, as the second birthday of his new life. He said, "I wouldn't be here without it." He was a man of gratitude.

Annie went with Wayne to all of his doctor's appointments. She was by his side through everything. Just this last December, he was told it was time to plan things. He still wanted to believe in his heart there was a cure and wanted to continue the fight to live against all odds. He was strong in spirit and lived his life for his wife, his children and grandchildren. He refused to use a wheelchair and only used a cane. He walked on his own with every might up until his dying day.

In the end, it was his wish to be at home in his own bed. His wife and his children held his hands, comforted him, and told him, "I love you." He was not alone. Instead, he was surrounded by his immediate family and his closest friends: Robert and Junnie Cruz and Fred and Kim Cruz, before he passed away peacefully. Years ago, Wayne had told his wife about how lucky he was to have the unconditional love and support from both Cruz families.

Wayne's purpose in life was to show everybody to stand up for themselves, believe what you believe in and stand your ground. His family will miss everything about him: his booming baritone voice, his advice, his philosophies, his quotes from John Wooden, his corny jokes and card tricks, his way to make you laugh, his ability to pop beer bottles with his hands and even cut apples with his hands. His wife, his children and grandchildren will miss his presence every day.

Wayne hated to see people cry because it hurt him to see them in pain – so he'd say to celebrate his life. His advice to all of you would be "don't ever forget him and carry his legacy forward." But, more importantly, he wouldn't want anyone to go through what he went through with the pain and suffering from cancer. His family feels he is now at peace.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Kenny. He is loved and remembered by his wife Annie; daughter Erica and her husband Wayne; daughter Tiffany; son Dustin and his wife Jen; grandchildren Tyler, Audrey, Quintyn, and step-granddaughter Jaden; siblings, extended family, co-workers and many friends.