John M. Kong

John Kong was born on November 08, 1937 in Toishan, Guangdong Province, China. His parents were Shiu Yen Kong and Gee Hong Moy. His father came to the U.S. first, became a U.S citizen and then returned to the village whereupon John was conceived and born. His parents were very happy to have a son to carry the family name. His father eventually went back to the U.S. and twelve years later, saved enough money to have his wife and son join him.

John came to the U.S. at the age of twelve and settled in Chicago, IL. He attended Morrill Elementary School starting in first grade and eventually graduating on time with the help of Ms. Margaret Mary O’Reilly, the Principal who took him under her wings and became a life-long friend and mentor. John graduated from Kelly High School and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at age 22. After graduation, John went back to Hong Kong and met Margaret, whom he married on April 1, 1960, after a whirlwind 6 months of courtship. They came back to the U.S. whereupon John enlisted in the Army and achieved a rank of 2nd Lieutenant. After his discharge, he accepted a job at Simpson Electric Company in Elgin, a suburb 20 miles outside of Chicago and worked on vacuum tubes for TVs. John at times worked two jobs in order to support his growing family in addition to supporting his father and mother.

He ended up at Dynascan Corporation and became the Director of Engineering and Marketing. Dynascan made electronic test and measuring equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators under the name of B&K Precision in addition to the Cobra brand of CBs radios and walkie talkies. John got to travel to many different countries regularly as part of his job, including Germany, France, England, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, along with many regions of the U.S. He retired in 1999 at the age of 62 and moved out to California, where he became a full-time grandpa, helping to raise the Chok boys and supporting the Kong kids in all of their activities. Last year, he received the #1 Fan award from the volleyball coach, having not only attended every game but also every practice! He enjoyed playing tennis, swimming, biking, and going to the gym. In the last year, he came to know the Lord and became part of a Senior Bible Study group at Harvest Community Church where he quickly made plenty of new friends.

John went to be with the Lord on February 28, 2018 after surviving mantle cell lymphoma for 10+ years. He died peacefully in his sleep with his family at his side. Surviving family members include his spouse, Margaret, children, Larry and Margie, and seven grandchildren: Elisa, Tavin, Isabella (Bella), Spencer, Wesley, Everett, and Alexander (Xander). In addition, John has five nephews and nieces along with nine grandnephews/grandnieces and four great-grandnephews/nieces. He has one sister-in-law and two brother-in-laws, nine nephews and nieces, four grandnephews/nieces from Margaret’s side.

Throughout his life, John was a generous, caring, and beloved son, husband, and father. He was always kind and tenderhearted, known for his friendliness and quick humor. John leaves behind a legacy of lifelong friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives he touched will dearly remember Mr. John Kong.

In lieu of flowers, the Kong family is accepting donations which will later be gifted to Mantle Cell Lymphoma research.