Jack Shung Gan Wong was born on March 28, 1923 in Canton, China. In July 1937, Jack emigrated to America at age 14 and spent his teenage years in Seattle, Washington. He opened a restaurant business with his brother, Larry, from 1937-1939 in Livingston, Montana. Jack was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942. He served 3 years in Communications as a Signal Corp Interpreter and Technician for the U.S. Army during World War II. He was stationed in China, Burma and India. He was discharged from military service in December 1945. After World War II ended, Jack reopened the restaurant with his brother in Livingston, Montana.
Jack married his wife, Lana Yam Lan Mar, in April 1947 in Taisan County in Canton, China and had 6 children from 1948-1955. In 1950, Jack and Lana left Montana for Fresno, California. Jack worked 4 years at a grocery store named Wong's City Market (original), owned by his army buddies, Bill and Jack B. Wong. Wong's City Market was located in Highway City on Shaw Avenue. Eventually, the owners were forced to sell the market due to eminent domain, in order to move forward on a Freeway 99 construction project. In 1956, Jack and his brother, Larry, decided to rebuild a new grocery store and they became the new co-owners of the new Wong's City Market located in Highway City on Shaw Avenue. Wong's City Market was in operation from 1956-1980 until its sale and retirement.
On October 23, 2021 Jack received a Congressional Gold Medal at age 99 from the U.S. Army recognizing Chinese American Veterans of World War II. The California Central Valley Regional Presentation Ceremony for the gold medal recipients was held at the Fresno Veteran Memorial Auditorium Theater.
Jack Shung Gan Wong passed away on March 28, 2025 at age 102. Jack and his lovely wife, Lana, were married for 74 years before her passing on May 11, 2021. Jack is survived by 3 sons Allan, Edwin and David Wong and 3 daughters Jeanne Tan, Loretta Kato and Susan Fong; son-in-laws Jeffrey Tan, Stan Kato and Whallen Fong; daughter-in-laws Brenda, Kim and Shelley Wong, 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Private Family Services were held.
