Obituary of James Yucapa Chan

James Yucapa Chan was born in British Hong Kong on August 5, 1942, to Philip and Mary Chan. He was the youngest of 13 brothers and sisters. They lived a pleasant life until the Japanese invaded Hong Kong and China. Several brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles were killed. The survivors had to go into hiding until the war was over. After the war, Jim had a good childhood. He even had his own cook since he was so fussy. Jim came to the United States in 1962, making his home in New York City. There he started working for an insurance company, and singing and dancing in various venues. He also took professional training in the arts. In a few years, Jim decided to transfer to San Francisco, California, and took a train across the United States, stopping along the way till he arrived. He worked in show business and for the insurance company while there. After a long while, he decided to transfer again to Portland, Oregon sometime in the '70s. While in Portland he performed in many shows, but the most spectacular one was Flower Drum Song at the Portland World Trade Center and at Alpenrose Theater. There were hundreds in the cast. On July 1, 1981, after the closing of the show, he went to a club called Bert Lees for a drink. They had a piano bar alternately featuring Ava Willams and Eve Shelton on different nights. Jimmy got up to sing a few songs, and he was so great that Larry Andrew, who was in the audience, sent him over a Grand Marnier. They were together ever since that night. After a while, Jim got tired of getting up early to go to the insurance job, so he quit and started working at the Jasmine Tree Restaurant, in Downtown Portland. He started a piano bar, worked as a bartender, and after a few months, started up a stage group called Show Stoppers. In the early years, he had great success and was written up in the Oregon Journal as a "Must See." Later, the group changed their name to Cabaret Magnifique. Over the years, they performed so many shows that they are too numerous to list! Jim's Cabaret Magnifique family included Mary Lee and Delbert Newton, Pauline Richards, Pauline Nortness, John Palm, Becky Sowders-Palm, Mike Roulier, Susan Spicer Pond, Russ and Betsy Curnutt, Tom Tumulty and Steve Johnson(?)and so many more talented performers and musicians! After the piano bar and stage shows closed down, he started to book rock bands at the Jasmine Tree. That was a big hit, and many nights there was standing room only. When the Jasmine Tree finely closed its doors, Jim went to St. John's and reopened Dad's Restaurant Dinner Club. After Dad's, he went to The New Portland Rose and managed the restaurant until it sold. Jim retired in 2014, and lived peacefully, but with some nerve pain. Jim had a heart attack on December 1st but didn't realize it. When he still felt ill the next day, Larry called 911. There were 6 emergency personnel working on him at the house. There were 15 emergency room staff working on him at Providence Hospital for more than an hour. However, it was too late. Jim passed away on December 2, 2019. He is survived by his partner, Larry Andrew. Jim was cremated and will be interred with Larry, upon Larry's death. It was Jim's wish that his eyes be donated to the Lions Club VisionGift organization. Please feel free to make a monetary gift to this organization in Jim's memory. The Funeral service will be at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church. 1704 NE 43rd Ave, Portland, Or 97213 Phone# 503-284-7141 the service is on January 4, Saturday at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow right afterward in the Parish Hall with food and music.