Obituary of Shew Gong Hong

Shew Gong Hong, age 82 passed away peacefully in the early morning on February 4, 2011 at St. Joseph's Hospital. He is preceded in death by his father James, mother Ng She, sister Mary, brothers Nom and Wing and son Kevin. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Frances, son David (Amber), brothers Ray and Steve, sisters Helen, Lilly and Arlene, grandchildren James, A.lexus and Sam and numerous nieces and nephews. Shew grew up in the big 2 story house on Poplar St. in Stockton and was a graduate of Stockton High. He was an avid sportsman who loved to fish and hunt. A natural athlete, he excelled in sports. His favorite sport was basketball and he played with his long time friends of the Mencius Club in the city basketball league, winning tournaments and championships in the 40's and 50's. Shew Hong was a prolific shooter and once scored 44 pts. in a game in an era when teams averaged 50 points a game. Shew entered the U.S. Army in 1950 and served his country during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge he returned to Stockton and met his future wife, Frances. They married in 1954 and purchased their first house on Harding Way. Shew followed in the steps of his older brother Nom and became a Dept. of Motor Vehicles license examiner. He worked for the DMV for over 20 years and retired as the Lodi Branch Office Manager. After his retirement Shew and his wife Frances traveled the United States visiting Boston, New Orleans, New Mexico and his favorite, Kauai. He returned to Kauai every year for over 20 years to see his good friend Willie C. They would spend their mornings playing golf and afternoons playing the ukulele and singing at the pool bar of the Coco Palms Hotel. He made friends wherever he went and left a lasting impression on those who knew him. At his request he was cremated and no memorial service is planned.