James “Jim” Fai Lau

January 13, 1940 - March 27, 2020

James Fai Lau (“Jim”), 80, passed away on Friday morning, March 27, 2020 in his home in Downey, California.
Born in 1940 in Guangdong, China, Jim came to the U.S. and earned his Bachelor of Science in engineering from California State University of Long Beach.
He married his longtime sweetheart, Elaine, in August of 1965. They settled in Downey, where he spent the next 40 years building a successful dry cleaning and laundry business, including longtime ownership of Rose Cleaners in Downey and D.L. Gin Laundry in the city of Bell.
Jim was an avid gardener and a consummate chef. He could frequently be found either cheering on the Lakers from his favorite recliner; tending to his rose bushes, fruit trees, or beloved koi and goldfish; or strolling around the block greeting his neighbors and friends. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and adored by his five grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his wife Elaine; his four adult children Cindy (husband Kenji), Vickie (husband Wayne), Jackie (husband John), and Alex (wife Grace); five grandchildren: Braden, Aria, Camden, Alana, and Tristan; and sister Sue Wong and her husband Ray, and their children and grandchildren.
The family is holding a private burial service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), in memory of James Fai Lau.