Richard Bing Fong

He was born on October 25, 1929, in Hoiping, China. His marriage license in his wallet served as a daily reminder of his proudest moment, marrying the love of his life, Lillian Dea, who met as teenagers and married on December 23, 1948 in Canton, China.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force and served with dedication achieving the ranks of Staff Sergeant over a four year span. He was first stationed in Amarillo, Texas in 1952 and later transferred to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. He proudly served in the Strategic Air Command until 1956. He was awarded two medals: the National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged in 1960.

During their time in Tucson, he and Lillian raised three children: Doris, Lyman and Dale while owning and operating a successful grocery store. He started with Fong’s Market in the local neighborhood in the west side of Tucson and built a new store called Market Basket in the south side of Tucson. He and Lillian retired at the age of 45 and moved to Monterey Park, California. To keep busy during his retired life, he continuously studied new subjects, invented gadgets to simplify life and loved gardening. Nothing brought him more joy and smiles than watching his family grow and attending family celebrations. He will forever be remembered as the patriarch of the family with whom he constantly shared his knowledge and inventions.

Richard is survived by his wife of 77 years, Lillian, younger sister, Gloria (William) Chui, three children: Doris (Timothy) Gin, Lyman Fong and Dale (Jimmy) Gin, eight grandchildren: Michelle (Greg) Scalzo, Jonathan (Jenny) Gin, Steven (Aileen) Gin, Alan (Elliot) Fong, Eric Gin, Kasey (Jake) Hoobler, Kimberly (Lance) Hankamolkit, Richie (Alba) Fong and fourteen great grandchildren.