He is survived by his wife Lana Waters Liu; son Nick Liu; daughter Tana Liu-Beers; daughter-in-law Nelly Lopez; son-in-law Chris Liu-Beers; and grandchildren Miriam Liu-Beers, Indy Liu-Lopez, and Leo Liu-Lopez.
Tony was born February 22, 1943 (according to the lunar calendar) in Meixian, China. On the eve of the Communist Revolution in 1949, he and his beloved mother moved to Hong Kong where he spent his childhood with her and extended family.
Two teachers in particular, Mrs. Wu and Mr. Chan, enabled him to thrive scholastically and then attend Diocesan Boys’ School (DBS) in Hong Kong despite his family’s poverty. The United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia named him one of four SE Asia students to earn a scholarship to International Christian University (ICU) in Japan. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1967.
In 1969 Tony immigrated to the United States and attended The University of Kansas. In 1974 he enrolled in graduate school at Indiana University. It was there he met Lana. They married in 1976. They have resided in Kentucky, New Jersey (2 times), Maryland, and for the past 11 years, North Carolina.
Tony was a paint chemist by trade with a specialty in industrial and marine coatings. In retirement, he followed his passion for helping others and volunteered in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice. A teacher at heart, he also taught his “Budget Juggling” course at churches, libraries, high schools, and to individuals.
Tony had an endless sense of humor and loved making jokes. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. He loved asking questions and provoking good discussions–especially about faith and spiritual things. He relished a good problem to solve or the opportunity to fix what was broken. Other hobbies of his were taking opera and art lessons, playing several different instruments, and writing reflections and memoir. His favorites, though, were his family and the friends he made and kept for always.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Tony at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2023 at Chatham Community Church’s North Chatham Campus, 1685 Andrews Store Road, Pittsboro, NC. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tony’s name to Chatham Community Church, United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, a teacher in your life, or to individuals you know who need a hand up out of poverty.
If you would like to leave a favorite memory/story of Tony or a message of condolence to his family, you may do so below within "add a memory".
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5