Ruth Gee Hong

Ruth Gee Hong, 85, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away on Monday, June 16, 2014 in Oceanside, California. She was born in Canton, China in 1929. As a teenager, Ruth was on her way to Hong Kong to board a steam ship to join her family in the United States when the Japanese attacked Hong Kong on the same day that Pearl Harbor was attacked. She was forced to return to her grandmother in Canton where they found refuge from the Japanese Army in the countryside for the term of the war. She finally joined her family in Barstow, California after the Japanese surrender of World War II. She then graduated from Barstow High School. In 1949, she was introduced to Kenyon S. Hong of Yuma and they married in 1950.

Ruth worked with her husband in the family grocery businesses of Central Markets and Kenyon’s Market. She eventually became a licensed real estate broker and owned Hong Realty. She and her husband built and operated Kenyon Mobile Home Park. Her civic activities included the Jaycee Spurettes and the Soroptomist International of Yuma. Ruth and Kenyon liked to entertain in their home and she was known for her Chinese dinners. She taught Chinese cooking classes at Arizona Western College.

Ruth is survived by her brother, Joseph (Lynn) Gee of Barstow, CA; sons, Halevy T. (Ellie) Hong of Gilbert, AZ, Kenyon T. (Judy) Hong of Bonsall, CA; grandchildren, Brandon K. (Jackie) Hong, Kenyon J. Hong, Jennifer Hong, Amanda Hong; great grandchild, Layla Hong; and several nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenyon S. Hong; and daughter, Kendra H. Ong.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church, 1535 South 8th Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85364 officiated by Pastor John Goetsch Jr.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Baptist Church.

Local arrangements under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Yuma, AZ.