Los Angeles, California
Overview
Los Angeles is the current family hub for the Chan-Loui family, representing the final destination in a multi-generational migration journey spanning the Philippines, Taiwan, and the United States. Jesse and Betty Chan relocated here around 1990 after all four children had already moved to the US for university, reuniting the family in Southern California.
Significance to Family
Chan Family Arrival (circa 1990)
Timing:
- After Michelle graduated from Whittier College (1990)
- All four children already in USA for university/careers
- Jesse and Betty moved to join children after 22 years in Taipei, Taiwan
What They Brought:
- Successful business experience from Taiwan
- Resources from Taiwan ventures
- Retirement/semi-retirement phase
- Desire to be near children and future grandchildren
Three Generations in Los Angeles
Generation 1 (Jesse & Betty Chan):
- Lived in Los Angeles area from 1990s until deaths
- Jesse died August 9, 2022 in Los Angeles
- Betty died November 9, 2022 in Alhambra, California
- Both buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Glendale
- Active retirement: organized parties, Betty played keyboard
- Betty conducted choir, taught English to choir members
- Line dancing and social activities
Generation 2 (Rose and siblings):
- Rose Chan Loui - Married Warren Loui, raised three children in LA area (current resident)
- Meg Chan Feitelberg - Location and family to be documented
- John Louis Chan - Married Iris Yamashita, relocated to Porto, Portugal around 2023
- Michelle Chan Ng - Location to be documented
Generation 3 (Grandchildren - 8 total):
- Nicholas Loui - American-born
- Ryan Loui - American-born
- Samantha Loui - American-born
- 5 additional grandchildren through Meg, Louis, Michelle
Warren Loui’s Professional Presence
Los Angeles is Warren Loui’s professional base:
- Partner at Winston & Strawn law firm
- Professor of secured transactions at USC Law School
- Chairman of Weingart Center (homeless services)
- Co-founder of Cardinal Rule Wines
- Featured in LA Times (2021) for Weingart Center leadership
Community Connections
Filipino-Chinese Community:
- Jesse and Betty maintained connections with Filipino-Chinese expatriate community
- Organized parties and social gatherings
- Betty’s choir involvement
Friends from Previous Chapters:
- Bernard Hsu - Jesse’s friend from Philippines days
- Frances Hsu - Betty’s childhood friend from Daet, reconnected in LA
- Oscar and Mrs. Barrios family - friends from Taipei
- Vivienne Uytana - daughter of Taipei friends
- Uncle Tony and Auntie Agnes - visited from Virginia Beach
- Sister-in-law Amy and son Alan - visited from Atlanta
Betty’s 80th Birthday Celebration (2015)
Major family gathering in Los Angeles area brought together:
- All four children and families
- Extended family from across USA
- Friends from Philippines, Taiwan, and LA
- Documented in Betty-Chan-Lolas-Story-80th-Birthday
Migration Journey Completion
Los Angeles represents the final destination in multiple migration journeys:
Jesse’s Journey
Philippines (birth-3) → Hong Kong → Fujian → Shanghai → Manila (1950s-1968) → Taipei (1968-1990) → Los Angeles (1990-2022)
Betty’s Journey
Daet → wartime displacement → Manila (1940s-1968) → Taipei (1968-1990) → Los Angeles (1990-2022)
Children’s Generation
Philippines/Taiwan (birth) → Taipei (childhood) → USA universities → Los Angeles area (careers/families)
Grandchildren’s Generation
Born in Los Angeles area - First generation born in USA
Four Generations, Four Countries
The Los Angeles-based family spans four generations across four countries:
Great-grandparents:
- Jesse’s father (Philippines/China)
- Jesse’s mother (Hong Kong/China)
- Betty’s father (China/Philippines)
- Betty’s mother (Philippines)
Grandparents:
- Jesse Chan (Philippines → China → Philippines → Taiwan → USA)
- Betty Chan (Philippines → Taiwan → USA)
Parents:
- Rose, Meg, Louis, Michelle (Philippines/Taiwan → USA)
Grandchildren:
- Nicholas, Ryan, Samantha + 5 cousins (Born in USA)
Historical Context
Chinese-Filipino Immigration to USA
The Chan family’s 1990 arrival was part of broader pattern:
- Post-1965 Immigration Act changes
- Taiwan-USA connections through education
- Children’s university education as pathway
- Family reunification immigration
- Professional class immigration
Southern California as Hub
Los Angeles area particularly attractive:
- Large Asian-American community
- Chinese and Filipino communities established
- Professional opportunities (law, business, academia)
- Good weather (similar to Taiwan/Philippines)
- International business connections
Family Values Transmitted
Los Angeles is where three generations demonstrate values passed down:
Education:
- Jesse sacrificed college → worked hard for children’s education → all 4 to elite universities
- Grandchildren continuing educational excellence
Entrepreneurship:
- Jesse’s multiple businesses → Warren’s Cardinal Rule Wines
- Risk-taking and business ownership
Professional Achievement:
- Rose: Attorney background
- Warren: Law firm partner, professor, nonprofit chairman
- Grandchildren’s careers (to be documented)
Family Cohesion:
- Jesse and Betty moved to be near children
- Regular family gatherings
- Multi-generational celebrations
- Maintaining connections across extended family
Cultural Bridge:
- Maintaining Chinese-Filipino identity
- Integration into American society
- Language abilities across generations
- Cultural traditions preserved
Legacy
Jesse Chan (died 2022 in Los Angeles)
- Survived WWII in China
- Built successful businesses in Taiwan
- All four children to US universities with scholarships
- Eight grandchildren
- Buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Glendale
Betty Chan (died 2022 in Alhambra)
- Survived WWII in Philippines
- Mathematics graduate
- Payroll Supervisor, teacher, choir director
- Raised four highly educated children
- “By the Grace of God” - faith through all challenges
- Buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Glendale
Both passed away in 2022 within three months of each other, having completed their journey from wartime Asia to American stability, seeing their descendants thrive across three generations.
Current Family Presence
As of 2025, Los Angeles area is home to:
- Three generations of Chan-Loui family (primarily Rose and Warren’s branch)
- Warren Loui’s professional activities
- Grandchildren’s education and careers
- Extended family connections
- Ongoing family gatherings and traditions
Note: John Louis Chan and Iris Yamashita relocated to Porto, Portugal around 2023, representing the first of the Generation 2 siblings to move outside the United States. See 2023-Relocation-John-Iris-To-Portugal.
Related Places in Los Angeles Area
- Alhambra, California - Betty’s death place
- Forest Lawn Memorial Park Glendale - Cemetery
- USC Law School - Warren teaches
- Warren’s residence (location to be documented)
- Weingart Center (location to be documented)
Research Questions
- When exactly did Jesse and Betty move to Los Angeles?
- Where did they live in Los Angeles area?
- Where do Rose and Warren live?
- Where do other three children live (Meg, Louis, Michelle)?
- What careers do the 8 grandchildren have?
- How often did extended family gather?
- Did Jesse or Betty work in Los Angeles or fully retired?
- What was Jesse doing before his death in 2022?
- Details about Betty’s choir and church community
- Names and details of 5 other grandchildren