Thomas Tao-Shing Huang

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Thomas Tao-Shing Huang, who departed this life on November 24, 2025, at the age of eighty-six. Born in 1939 in Hubei province in China, Tom touched so many lives in all the places he lived, particularly in Johnson City, TN, where he lived for thirty-five years.

Tom was a devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather, and he spent his professional life serving the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) community. The hundreds of students who took his chemistry classes gained from his knowledge and love of science. He also sang with joy and a beautiful tenor voice for the Johnson City Chorale for several decades, and he volunteered with the Johnson City Arts Council. He thoroughly enjoyed the many friends and adventures with those who created and sustained the hiking paths on Buffalo Mountain and numerous other scenic outposts. He was an inspired traveller, and even spent a year as a Fulbright Fellow in Cameroon. He and Janice welcomed many students and their families from all of their travels to study at ETSU. He also proudly served as officiant at many weddings of his students. His legacy will continue to live on through the countless lives he impacted.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife Janice Huang, his daughter Margaret Huang, her husband Franco Munoz, his son Steven Huang, and his wife Elizabeth Huang, and by his adored grandchildren Meghan, Alex, Matthew, and David. He was deeply close to his siblings Dean Huang, Ed Huang, and Christina Huang, and their families. Many extended family and friends will cherish his memory. Tom will be remembered for his mischievous grins, his patriotic critiques of his adopted country, and his stories about and love for his homes in China and Taiwan. He will be deeply missed – but never forgotten – by all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held in the spring of 2026 to give all who loved him a chance to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, details will be made available for charities and scholarships that were meaningful to Tom and his family.