George Wang

George Li Wang, PhD died peacefully in Stockton, California on January 8, 2019 just three weeks after celebrating his 100th birthday. Dr. Wang was the eldest son of a family of 5 siblings born in the rural town of Hua Ling, China. He received his bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Chong Qing University in Chungking, China in 1942. His extraordinary journey to the United States began when he left China in 1948 to study Political Science at the University of Colorado, Boulder. His plan to return to China was derailed by turbulent politics and the rise of the Chinese Communist party. He became a US citizen by the Displaced Person’s Act of 1948. Upon receipt of his PhD he became a reporter at a Chinese language newspaper in San Francisco where he met his wife Dr. Mary Ni. They established their home in Stockton in 1955. While working for the Frito Lay Company Dr. Wang took night school classes to earn his credentials as a Certified Public Accountant. He then became an auditor for San Joaquin County and rose to the position of Chief Auditor, a position he held until his retirement in 1984. His love and dedication for Mary was evident as he cared for her daily for 10 years following a devastating illness until her passing in January 1997. A second chance for love came when he met Shu Fang Cen and they married in 1998. Together they travelled to many countries and continued to be active members of the Stockton Chinese community.

George was past president of the Chinese Cultural Society of Stockton. He was named the CCS “Man of the Year” in 1990. He is the author of two books. His lifelong dedication to education survives as he established scholarship legacies in the name of Dr. Mary Ni Wang, and left educational contributions to Western University of Health Sciences, Stanford University, the University of Colorado, Boulder, and primary and secondary schools in Hua Ling.

He is preceded in death by his wife Dr. Mary Ni Wang, his three brothers, and his son. He is survived by his beloved wife Shu Fang, his sister Qion Yu, daughter Margaret Landgraf (Robert), grandson Steven, stepdaughters Anna and Maggie and stepson Su Chen and their children, and step-grandson Phillip (Kelly) and step-great-granddaughter Ava.

Viewing will held at the DeYoung Funeral Home 601 North California Street, Stockton, California on Saturday January 19 at 10:00 AM followed by services at 12:00 PM. He will be interred next to Mary at the Stockton Rural Cemetery on Tuesday January 22 at 11:00 AM.