Chin Leong Kong ( 江清亮)passed away peacefully on September 14, 2024 at the age of 89, after a resilient battle with COPD and chronic asthma, surrounded by his loved ones. Chin was born on February 13, 1935 to Kong Jing Long (江进隆) and Se Gui Lyan (苏桂莲) in Gao Tou Village (高头村), Yong Ding District (永定县), Fujian Province (福建省), China. In 1947, at the young age of 13, he boarded a ship alone and migrated to Burma (Myanmar) in pursuit of a better life for his family. He was adopted by his uncle and aunt, U San and Daw Mya and began working for his uncle, a candy maker. Despite his lack of opportunity for higher education, he taught himself the Burmese language, business management, and ultimately helped his uncle transform his homegrown candy business (San Kee) into one of the largest automated factories in Burma at the time while also expanding an instant noodle factory.
In 1971, the factories were nationalized by the military regime and Chin’s years of work were stripped away from him. Without hesitation, he independently rebuilt the candy business from the ground up despite restrictions on the private sector by the oppressive military regime. Through hard work and creativity, his new candy business burgeoned into a household brand, The Kong Guan, known for their goldfish candies.
From a young age he was active in his community and eventually became a leader and philanthropist in the Burmese and Chinese communities, serving roles across organizations that fostered community development and humanitarian aid. He was a Co-founder (1960s) and Chairman (1990s) of the Kong Young Man Association, the Treasurer of Chinese Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Salvation Association (1960s-1995), and the President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce (1990’s) for two terms, after which he was honored as lifetime President Emeritus when he immigrated to the US. After years of tireless work, he accomplished his original mission to give back to his family. He helped fund the construction of a hospital and school in his birthplace and ultimately accomplished his father’s dream of building a Tulou (the world famous Earth Tower of Hakkas). The Tulou was named Ji Cheng Lou (继承楼) meaning the Inheritance Tower which provided housing for 28 extended family members.
On February 16, 1957, Chin married Lu Shu Lyan (卢秀莲), a year after they were introduced. She became the love of his life as their marriage flourished for 68 years until his last breath. Together, they raised five children, Lorna (江碧英), Victor (江钦元), Steven (江钦亨), Nicholas (江钦利) and Xiao Pang (江钦贞). Although Chin was often preoccupied with his businesses and community work, he was a dutiful and supportive father, setting a model for hard work, resilience, creativity, integrity, and compassion, underscoring that these traits need not necessarily come from a classroom. Following in the footsteps of their father, the children seeked freedom and a better future for the next generation in Australia and USA. Chin’s family has continued to expand and thrive with ten grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Chin will be remembered for his charisma, kindness, generosity, as a proud patriot, hands-on leader and contributor to his communities, and most of all, as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Chin is survived by his wife, Shu Lyan, his four children and their spouses, Lorna & Robert, Victor, Steve & Alison (苏秀聪) and Nick & Rita (李秀英), his grandchildren and their spouses, Stephanie (江雯娇) & Amrit, Kevin (江天骄), Andrew (江天阳), Simon (江天鸣),Michael (陈天美) & Addy, Sandy (江梅娇) & Andy (刘鸿伟), Stanley (江天鹏), Kaitlyn (陈春骄), Nathan (江天南) & Brittany and Sandra (江恬骄) and his great grandchild, Kaiyaan (江凯扬). He is reuniting with his beloved, youngest son, Xiao Pang who passed away in 2013.
Visitation will be held in SkyRose Chapel at Rose Hills Cemetery on Friday, October 4 from 6-9pm. Funeral Service will be held in SkyRose Chapel at Rose Hills Cemetery on Saturday, October 5 at 10:45am, immediately followed by burial service. Address: 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA 90601
Chin will be laid to rest in Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA 90601: Westpoint Estates.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the following:
1) American Lung Association
2) SOS Foundation
Memo: Typhoon Yagi Flood Relief Fund, in honor of Chin Leong Kong
Mail checks to:
SOS Foundation
Mailbox 9038
Wichita Falls, TX 76308
U.S.A
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