The Donut Shop Story, Arcadia, California

A lot have been said about the man, Johnny K Lima, the husband, the father, grandfather, church elder, Lions President, Lions Governor, the teacher, the enterpreneur, the composer, and a friend. Yet, we hear one more wonderful story from a friend.

One day in late November 2016, I walked into a Donut / newspaper shop in Arcadia, California to buy the daily newspaper for Mama. As I approached the lady in the counter, in her late 50’s, she asked “Are you not Mr Lima’s son?”  I said “yes”. “How is your father?”, I paused, and almost whispered “My father is gone.” She said, “Oh, so they left for Hong kong again?”, I said, “No, he is gone, he passed away on Nov-21.” There was silence, and then continued silence, and in cracked voice, “I am very sorry to hear that, he is a very good man” The lady clearly have tears swelling in her eyes… and whispered “One time, he volunteered to help me in the store to sell donuts and newspaper…“

​- Walden, 1/17/2017

The Lucky Donuts has since 2019 closed around the time covid struck. Yet, everytime we drive by the area along Duarte and 2nd Ave, a small beep in my heart always remind me about Papa’s presence in so many people’s lives, young and old, rich and poor. Thank you Papa.

– 503, 10/22/25