Tom Chang Gong

He lived for nine years in the Central Valley of California before journeying to Guangzhou, China to live with his father. At the age of nineteen, Tom escaped the encroaching Communist regime on a fishing boat headed for Hong Kong.

Once back in America, Tom joined the United States Marines in 1960. He served for six years in both active duty and in the Reserves, and received an honorable discharge in 1966.

Tom, along with his mother and siblings, entered the grocery business in Fresno, Ca., in 1959. For the next thirty years, Tom and the family developed strong bonds throughout the entire Central Valley operating Gong’s Markets on First and Bullard and Fresno and Ashlan streets. Then, in 1988, the family retired from the grocery business to enjoy a well earned rest. The families still owned business properties at the time, which Tom took great joy in helping to run and maintain. The families own the properties to this day.

Tom was very active in the Chinese community in the Central Valley and in the Bay Area. He was a Supervisor, President, Vice President, Senior Statesman and consultant for Fah Yuen (Chong Sen) Association in San Francisco. He was also the Founder and President of the Hua Du Middle School Association, and was a Board Member of the Visalia Chinese Cultural Center. He also managed the Sam Yup Cemetery of Fresno for twenty-five years.

Tom is pre-deceased by his son, Darren Gong; brothers Robert C. Gong, Sing Gong, and sister Jane Young.

He is survived by his wife, Eva Gong, son Spencer Gong, daughter Kim Castro, granddaughters Mia and Nikki Castro, grandson Tommy Castro; brother Frank Gong and sister May Chun, and numerous beloved family members.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and wisdom. He touched hundreds of peoples’ lives for generations in the Central Valley of California and beyond. His heart and presence will be greatly missed, not only by his family, but by the countless friends he made in his long and storied life.

All services will be held at Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel 202 N. Teilman Ave., Fresno, Ca 93706. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 25th from 3:00PM-6:00PM. Wake on Thursday, May 25th, at 6:00PM. Funeral Chapel Service on Friday, May 26th at 9:00AM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stephensandbean.com for the Gong family.