Tommy Cao

Tommy is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Lien Cao, and their two children, Howard and Elaine. He was born in 1947 in Qingyuan, Guangdong, the son of Khon and Anh Cao, and was the youngest of four boys. Tommy always admired and loved his big brothers Dan, Bill, and Jimmie. In 1973, Tommy married Lien in Saigon, Vietnam, and they immigrated to the US two years later. Together, as partners in life and in business, they ran restaurants for over 20 years, first in Columbus, NE, and then in Phoenix, AZ. Tommy's daughter loved his cheesy hash browns and crispy Hunan Beef, while his son loved his Chicken Fried Steaks and Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. Howard married Angie in 2003, and they have two beautiful children, Lucy and Charlie, who were spoiled rotten by their "Yeh-Yeh".

As children, Howard and Elaine learned early on, “If you need money or to learn something go to Mom; if it’s toys or treats you want, go to Dad”. His children will always remember his sweet smile, often as he was up to something mischievous. He loved gadgets and tinkering with appliances that were “mostly fixed” (usually under the guidance of his older brother, Jimmie). He was an audiophile and amassed an extensive CD collection, which ranged from classic to pop Chinese music, The Beatles, Kenny G, Beethoven, and even Chuck Mangione. As with his taste in music, Tommy loved all facets of life, from taking his wife on daily boat rides to playing games like ping-pong or foosball, but most recently, he and Lien loved spending time with their children and grandchildren.

A celebration of Tommy's life is scheduled for Monday, February 5th, 2024, at West Resthaven Funeral Home. The event will start at 12 pm MT and will be officiated by long-time friend Johnny Mo. After the ceremony, there will be a reception at Harbor Seafood Super Buffet, and all are welcome to attend and celebrate Tommy's life. In lieu of flowers, you can share your favorite memories and photos of Tommy. If you would like to donate, please do so at KidneyCure.org, in memory of Tommy Cao.

The family would like to express their gratitude for your kindness and support. Tommy will always be remembered and loved as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.