Gene Pung "Tom" Wong, age 81, passed away at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah due to complications from Lou Gehrig's Disease on May 2, 2002.

Born January 18, 1921, he was the only child to Lai Boon "Donald" Wong and Kam Choy Ng in Toysun, Canton Province in China. He married Yet You (Helen) Lee in Toysun, China in 1947.

He entered the United States in 1934 at the age of 13 and lived in Portland, Oregon with his grandfather, Chong Dep Wong. He later moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where he worked in the King Joy Cafe until September 25, 1943 when he entered the U.S. Army.

After training in Camp Fannin in Texas he was sent to the Asiatic Pacific Theater on March 20, 1944 to serve as a cook for the 135th Army Medical Battalion and followed the Army's advance through the Pacific. His final duty station was Nagasaki, Japan following its destruction by the atomic bomb. Gene returned to Salt Lake City and was honorably discharged in January 13, 1946.

He returned to work as a cook with King Joy Cafe after the war and then in 1952 became a cook and part owner of the China Village Restaurant where he remained until he retired in 1983.

Very active and hard working for most of his life, dad spent his free time and retirement gardening, fishing and living life simply.

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His greatest joys came when he could share his harvest and fishing stories with family and friends. He enjoyed caring for and watching the growth and progress of his grandchildren and was a member in the Wong Benevolent Association.

He is survived by his wife, Helen; sons, Allen Wong (Anna); Calvin Wong (Lily) and Ken Wong (Jenny); and daughter Donna Chin (Tun Ngem).

The family wishes to thank I.H.C. Hospice caregivers, MBA, and friends who cared and visited Gene during the months he was battling Lou Gehrig's disease.

Services will be held on Monday, May 13, 2002 at 12:00 noon at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple in Salt Lake City. Friends may call at the mortuary on Sunday, May 12, from 6-8 p.m. and Monday May 13, 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. prior to the services. Internment, Salt Lake City Cemetery, 4th Avenue & N Street.

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