Tsun-How Yu

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Tsun-How “Jimmy” Yu, who peacefully left us on March 2, 2025, at the age of 96. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather and friend whose love and wisdom touched the lives of all who knew him.

Born on November 15, 1928 in China, Tsun-How Yu lived a life filled with remarkable accomplishments and bravery. He was the second son of a wealthy landowner in the Anhui Province (安徽省). As a young man, he left home to join the military forces for the Republic of China, led by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, and fought against the Chinese Communist Party. He served on a destroyer for the Kuomintang (KMT) Navy, was trained as a frogman, and was recognized as a sharpshooter. He was strong with an affable personality, and friends fondly called him 大炮 or “Big Cannon.” After the Chinese Civil War, Tsun-How Yu called Taiwan his home, retired from the Navy and started a family. He married his beautiful wife, Yuan-Yang “Linda” Yu, and raised two children. He worked as a fisherman and later sailed the world in commercial shipping. After having visited nearly 50 countries, he decided to set roots in the United States of America.

Tsun-How Yu had countless accomplishments to be proud of. But anyone who knew Tsun-How Yu would know he was most proud of three things in his life – being a U.S. citizen, being a self-starter, and being grandfather to his seven grandchildren.

Tsun-How Yu landed in the U.S. in the sixties. It took him years, but on April 21, 1982, he was sworn in as a U.S. citizen, an impossible honor coveted by many of his friends and peers. He recounted often how he studied for the U.S. citizenship exam and how kind the examiner was during the citizenship test. He proudly displayed his framed U.S. citizenship certificate at the house.

Nothing was handed to Tsun-How Yu. He was the epitome of a self-made man. Having left his childhood home as a teenager to fight in the Chinese Civil War, Tsun-How Yu saw a lifetime of hardship and struggle. He was the only one in his platoon to survive the war. He came to the U.S. as a stranger to the land and with only $15 in his pocket. He found menial work, as many immigrants did back then, at Chinese restaurants in New York City, and, over time, learned his way around the kitchen and became head chef. As soon as he was able, he applied for his family to immigrate to the United States.

On January 24, 1978, he was reunited with his family when his wife made the international trek with their young son and daughter and landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in NYC. His wife, Linda Yu, worked as a seamstress and then later for the United States Postal Service. His children excelled in public school in NYC and went on to obtain graduate and post-graduate degrees. Always generous, Tsun-How Yu and his beautiful wife hosted many wonderful dinners at his home in NYC. By then, his younger brother and his family also immigrated to the U.S. At these dinners, he’d regale his friends and family with stories from his youth and military days. He made friends easily and no one was a stranger. He had a green thumb and shared the harvest from his gardens with friends and neighbors. After four decades of being New Yorkers, Tsun-How Yu and his wife left their beloved NYC and moved to Texas in 2010 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Not having had the luxury of formal schooling, Tsun-How Yu had impeccable handwriting. He also made sure his son and daughter achieved highly in academics. Tsun-How Yu was very proud of their accomplishments and the families they had built. His oldest, Thomas Yu, is a well-accomplished tax professional and his daughter, Helen Yu, is a gifted attorney. Son Thomas Yu and his lovely wife, Cindi Jan, have four boys. Daughter Helen Yu and her husband, Jackson Chen, have two boys and a girl. The seven grandchildren were the stars that hung in the sky for Tsun-How Yu. He loved how they each grew up strong, smart, and with a glint of his heritage. Justin Yu, the oldest grandson, is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, with a Master’s Degree in Astronautical Engineering, and training to be a fighter pilot. Miles Chen, graduated from U.C. Davis with a Finance/Economics degree, and now consulting at Deloitte. Marcus Yu, a recent graduate of U.T. Austin, is pursuing his Physician Assistant degree. Michael Yu is a junior at U.T. Austin, studying Mechanical Engineering. Only grand-daughter Ella Chen is a sophomore at U.C. San Diego studying Business Psychology. Benjamin Chen is a senior at Grapevine High School and will study Business at Modesto Junior College and pitch for their baseball team in the fall. Youngest grandson, Andrew Yu, is a freshman at U.T. Dallas, studying computer science.

Tsun-How Yu often said that they are all equal, but you’d never know that. He treated each of them as his favorite when they visited. When he caught up with old friends, Tsun-How Yu would give proud updates on his grandchildren’s accomplishments. And he had reason to be proud. For someone who started out with nothing to his name, he left a legacy of amazing youngsters who will carry on his strengths and perseverance.

Tsun-How Yu will be remembered for his unwavering love for his family, his love for entertaining, and love for stories. He found joy in the simple moments of tending to his flowers and garden. He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and the lessons he shared with his children and grandchildren. His presence will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

He is survived by his wife, Yuan-Yang “Linda” Yu, son Thomas Yu (m. Cindi Jan), daughter Helen Yu (m. Jackson Chen), grandchildren Justin Yu, Miles Chen, Marcus Yu, Michael Yu, Ella Chen, Benjamin Chen, and Andrew Yu, who will continue to honor his memory and the values he instilled in them.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park. Family and friends are invited to join in celebrating his life and legacy.

May he rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.