Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Hae Un Lee is feted by Michael Severino during the UNLVino “Sake Fever” event Friday, April 12, 2019 at Red Rock Resort.
Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 | 7:39 p.m.
Hae Un Lee, the founder of Lee’s Discount Liquor and a noted Las Vegas philanthropist, died on Friday following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 79.
After coming to the United States from South Korea in 1980, Lee opened his first liquor store on Spring Mountain Road a year later. He would grow the chain to include more than 20 stores in the Las Vegas Valley, Reno, West Wendover and Mesquite.
Lee also started Lee’s Helping Hand, a local non-profit philanthropic organization nearly two decades ago.
Lee leaves behind his wife, Sun Lee, three children and eight grandchildren, according to a news release announcing his passing. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October.
