Chen Tao Yuan

Died on March 13, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas, USA

Chen Tao Yuan, age 94, of San Antonio, Texas passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday March 13, 2024.

He was a hard working and humble man who was devoted to family and friends.

He had a brave spirit, resilience and determination that took him around the world from his native small town in Gaomi, China to the island of Taiwan, the South American city of La Paz, Bolivia before settling in San Antonio, Texas.

He was born on July 3, 1929 to Tzu-Hsiu Yuan (Father) and Lee Hsu (Mother) both from Gaomi, Shandong, China. He was the youngest of four children and had three older brothers. Born and raised in the small rural town of Gaomi, he lived a simple rural life during a turbulent period in China’s history. He experienced war at a very young age, joining the military at the tender age of 13 to fight against the Japanese invasion during World War II. This was followed by the Chinese Civil War which eventually took him to the island of Taiwan by the time he was 20 years old. Although he could not receive a formal education during those turbulent times he found a way to learn to read and write Chinese.

He married Hua Chao a native of Taiwan on September 22, 1963 and moved to the capital city of Taipei, Taiwan, where he had a daughter Chia Yu born in 1964 and a son Robert Chia Hsing born in 1966. In August of 1966, he left Taiwan with his small family in search for better opportunities for his young children. The move was half way across the world to the South American city of La Paz, Bolivia where he lived for eleven years, before embarking on yet another trip, to San Antonio, Texas in September 1977.

He and his wife welcomed a third child David Chia Wei in 1980, the same year he opened his first restaurant Mei Luck, which ran for eleven years until 1991. In 1993 they opened a second restaurant Yen Ching, which operated until 1997. He retired in 1997 to take care of family and enjoy his grandchildren.

He was grateful to the many wonderful friends he has made in the last 47 years, he always cherished and appreciated their friendship.

His family is deeply thankful for all the caring and compassion that was provided by Christina and Octavia (nurses) and Christella and Maria (CNAs) along with all the staff from Hope Hospice. Their devotion allowed him to peacefully complete his journey.

He was preceded in death by Anna Hua Chao, wife, his parents and his three brothers.

He is survived by his daughter Chia Lopez, sons Robert and David Yuan, son-in-law Patrick Lopez, daughter-in-law Hai Hua Yuan, granddaughters Leah and Megan Yuan, grandsons Sean and Nathan Lopez, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218.

Visitation will be held Sunday, March 24, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 10:00 am