Demin Xiong

Demin Xiong, age 58, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 19, 2020, after a sustained illness. He was born in the countryside of Anlu, China, in 1961 to Zufu Xiong and Yunzhen Yang. He attended Wuhan University at the age of 16 and was the first person in his village to attend college. He then moved to Nanjing in 1982 and obtained his Master’s Degree at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He married Yufen Chen in 1986 and had his daughter in 1987 before coming to America in 1988 to pursue his Ph.D., which he completed at Ohio State University in 1993. Along with his family, he moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in 1993 to work at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and had his son in 1995. While still working at ORNL, he finally moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1997. He volunteered actively in his church, the Knoxville Chinese Christian Church, and was eager to help his community whenever he could. He enjoyed playing Chinese chess, tending to his yard or garden, playing ping pong, and reading scripture. He is survived and sorely missed by his wife Yufen; daughter Wendy; son Jason; parents Zufu and Yunzhen; sisters Dabao, Xiaobao, Baoqin, and Baohong; and his extended family and community, including those in China.

Berry Highland Memorial is handling funeral arrangements. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the family will have a private burial. There will be a memorial at a later date when all can come and celebrate his life together. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Knoxville Chinese Christian Church at 901 Francis Rd, Knoxville, TN 37909 or [email protected]. Friends may leave their thoughts and memories at www.berryhighlandmemorial.com.