Yong F. "Mike" Lu

Yong Fang “Mike” Lu, 66, yielded his spirit to its benevolent Author the 28th of September 2015 after a valiant battle with cholangiocarcinoma. His dedication to family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.

Mike was born to the late Hoff Lu and Wu Ren-hui on the 3rd of March 1949 in Hang Zhou, China. His childhood years were spent in Beijing and Shanghai. Chinese history would prove a challenge for the Lu family, and in 1967, Mike was sent to experience life in a re-education labor camp under Chairman Mao for almost 10 years.

Subsequent to the Cultural Revolution, Mike taught high school after pursuing an academic path and graduating from Shanghai Teacher’s College with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Mike came to the United States in 1984 in search of the American dream. He enrolled in ESL programs and began a Master of Science. During those years he found small jobs to support him, working seven days a week. He recently reminisced of selling ice cream in the Astrodome, washing dishes in restaurants, and working the midnight shift at a small Galveston motel. Times were difficult, but his work ethic was strong. He heard the adage, and adopted it as his own, “Every day’s not Christmas.” He persevered and his entrepreneurial dreams began to take hold. After several business endeavors, he found his niche in international trade. In 1987, Mike became President and CEO of Rodeo Dart Incorporation, a title he held until his passing.

He was also strongly invested in the Republican Party and was a recipient of the Republican Senatorial Medal of Freedom. Mike was an avid Christian and proud to say he was baptized on Easter Sunday in 1997 at the First Baptist Church of Houston by Dr. John Bisagno. In 2008, Mike realized a long held goal - he became a United States citizen.

Anyone who knew Mike is aware that family was very important to him and his devotion to, and awe of, his grandfather and father was great. His paternal grandfather received his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Illinois and later became Minister of Transportation in Northern China. His father, Hoff Lu, was a world-renowned nuclear physicist and received his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota, later teaching in China and then as Cornell’s Distinguished Visiting Professor at Swarthmore College in 1979, making him the first Chinese visiting scholar in 30 years to teach in an American university. Of all his father’s accomplishments, Mike honors the fact that his father was asked to, but refused to, lead the initial project of the atomic bomb in China in 1957.

Mike was blessed with a loving wife and partner, Patricia Maxin. Patty and Mike were married in 2005 at Guthrie Castle in Scotland at a private ceremony attended by many friends and led by Reverend Minton with William Morris as his Best Man. Mike found peace on the water and took friends out numerous weekends to spend time on his houseboat. He made lasting friendships at the University and City Clubs and enjoyed taking time there to exercise and relax.

Mike leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife, Patricia Maxin; son, Keshi of Shanghai; brother, Lester and wife, Kathyleen of Shanghai. He is also survived by his father in law, Joseph W. Maxin of Youngstown, Ohio; sister in law, Mary Lou Maxin of Sacramento, California; brothers in law, Joseph J. Maxin of Youngstown, Ohio, Dr. Michael Maxin and his wife, Dr. Marianne Greenbaum of Seattle, Washington; sister in law, Sandra Huang; his beloved nieces and nephews, and a most compassionate physician and friend, Dr. Milind Javle. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Yong Jiang Lu and John Lu.

Mike and Patty have been blessed with an abundance of friends who provided unwavering support and encouragement during the past two years. The many kindnesses will always be remembered and appreciated.

At Mike’s request he is to be cremated and have his ashes scattered in the Gulf of Mexico, next to his Beloved State of Texas. A memorial service is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 9th of October in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, in Houston where the Reverends Stephen Pai, Frank Minton and Dr. John Bisagno are to officiate. Immediately following the ceremony, a reception will be held in the adjacent grand foyer. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mike’s life.

In lieu of the customary remembrances, please send memorial donations to

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Mike Lu Cholangiocarcinoma Fund, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486,

www.mdanderson.org/gifts

or to

The Hoff Lu Fellowship, c/o U of MN Foundation, 200 SE Oak, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55455.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at M.D. Anderson, especially the GI Clinic and the Acute Palliative Floor of Inpatient Services. Additionally, words can never express the many ways Dr. Sunil Krishnan, Jackie Weatherly, Ronald

Harris, Cara Ferguson, and Nicole Sweeney helped them find beauty in this journey.