Ernest Yen Chou

Born February 6, 1948 in Nanking, China, Ernie was a son of the late Eric and Josephine Chow Chou. At the age of sixteen, Ernie moved to the U.S. to study at Mount Berry Academy in Rome, GA. He later graduated from Emory University, and continued his education receiving a Masters Degree in Business from Georgia State University.

Ernie began his career with Dow Chemical. In 1981, he and Melba Chou Isley co-founded Chou Chemical in Charlotte.

Ernie, who became a naturalized citizen in 1976, was an avid tennis player and a longtime member of Olde Providence Racquet Club. He traveled extensively throughout the world and is remembered as a connoisseur of fine cuisine.

His family includes his son, Randal Chou (Judy) of Charlotte; his daughter, Sonja Thompson (Gerald) of Athens, GA; and his beloved grandson, August Thompson; as well as his longtime business partner, Melba Chou Isley.

He is also survived by two sisters, Evelyn Cheung (Andy) of Chattanooga, TN and Joanne Rhodes of New Hampshire; and a brother, Eugene Chou of Hong Kong, China.

A service to celebrate Ernie’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 29th at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 3200 Park Road. His family will receive friends at the church following the service.

Memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation (www.MichaelJFox.org), Grand Central Station, P. O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163.