Melvin Ming Chong

On April 8, 1950 (government birthday 1/1/50), Ming Melvin Chong was born in Bangkok, Thailand. He grew up as the son of Chinese immigrants with two sisters and a brother, and many animals (including a monkey!). Ming’s father Charn went to military school in Canton, China and fought for the Allies in World War II. Ming’s mother Chonlada grew up in occupied Northeastern China and became a military nurse. They met in the hospital after Charn was injured during the war. They married in China after the war and moved to Thailand where Charn’s family had a business. The family ran a mosquito incense factory and then later a textile factory.

Ming attended Bangkok Christian College (middle school and high school) and Silaprakorn University for college, where he studied French and English. He became a big fan of Elvis Presley.

In the early 70’s, Ming moved from hot Thailand to less hot Winona, Minnesota for graduate school, where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Education. His brother Patrick followed him to Minnesota for grad school.

Following graduation, Ming moved to Queens in New York City, where his older sister Marasri was living. At church in New York, Ming’s visiting mother met Yolanda, a young woman from Taiwan who recently graduated from University of Oklahoma and moved to New York. Ming’s mother introduced Ming to Yolanda and they were married a few years later in Los Angeles on October 28, 1978. They had a son, Taver in 1980.

In 1983, the Chongs moved to Fresno, California, where they have lived ever since. Ming worked in health insurance for the first half of his adult life and then boldly transitioned to nursing for the second half of his adult life, which allowed him to serve on multiple international medical missions in multiple Asian countries – China, Burma, Thailand, Laos.

For many years, the Chongs were involved with Fresno State Intervarsity and International Students Ministries. Many gatherings were hosted and much food was cooked.

Ming was a faithful servant of God who loved to cook (truly gifted) and smile and get coffee with his Men’s Church group. Over the years in Fresno, Ming and Yolanda attended Evangelical Free Church, Community Bible Church, First Chinese Baptist Church, and finally Cross City Church. Now Ming rests peacefully with Jesus.

Ming is survived by his wife Yolanda, his son Taver, his daughter-in-law Ophelia, his sisters Marasri and Montha, his brother Patrick, his aunt Sue, his nephews Andrew, Benjamin, Brian, Daniel, and Jason.

A visitation will be held at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, located at 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720, on January 21, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Cross City Church, 2777 E Nees Ave., Fresno, California 93720, on January 22, 2026, starting at 10:00 am.