Chung Chan Obituary (1937

Chung 'Hon' Chan, 79, of Yakima, passed away on Wednesday, July 6th, 2016 at home. Hon was born on June 5th, 1937 in Taishan, China, to Mei Yiu and Main D. Chan. Hon knew from the time he was a child that he wanted to be a teacher and studied very hard to achieve it. He went to Guangzhou for high school, and then went on to study at the University of Guangzhou with a scholarship where he achieved his dream of teaching. He loved having the opportunity to be around students, teaching and encouraging them to achieve their dreams as well. He later became a Vice Principal and then Principal, having spent a total of 19 years in Education. At the age of 19, while pursuing his teaching career, Hon met the love of his life, Lai. They married on October 24, 1956. They were married for almost 60 years and had four beautiful children. In 1978, Hon had just found out that his older brother, Andy, who was living in Yakima, WA, had needed a kidney transplant and his health continued to deteriorate. Hon had not seen his brother in over 25 years, but he immediately knew that he had to help him. Hon didn't hesitate to offer him his kidney, even though it was a very risky and uncommon surgery back then, and even though he didn't stay in close contact with Andy. It took two years of effort (since 1976) with the assistance of Yakima Red Cross, petitions to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, in order to approve Hon to come to United States to be a possible kidney transplant match. Hon tried in vain to also approve his wife and children to come with him to the U.S., but unfortunately this was not successful. He left his wife and children behind, and also left behind his teaching career to embark on this journey not knowing if he would be a match for his brother or even survive a surgery he didn't know even existed. It turned out he was a match and his brother was able to live for five more years. Hon's wife and children finally came to the United States nearly four years later. With the time he had spent with his brother, Hon learned how to cook at Andy's restaurant, Canton Inn. He continued on to work with George & Helen Chin at Keoki's Oriental Restaurant. Then in 1983, Hon bought Keoki's Oriental Restaurant and owned it along with his family for over 33 years. Hon was always a proud, intelligent man, who held high standards for himself. No matter what obstacles in life seemed to get in his way, he never let his guard down or expressed any negativity. He instead prioritized others' needs before his own, whether it was for family or friends. He made many lifelong friends through teaching and working alongside his brother in the restaurant business. He maintained his integrity, values, and good work ethics and instilled this into his children as well. He was an active man and a very hard worker, never stopping to rest even when he was not feeling well or under a lot of stresshe even worked until the day before he passed away. Dad, we learned so much from you! You were our best teacher and you will be missed every day. You will forever be in our hearts! Hon is survived by the love of his life, Lai; his daughters Mee Ling (Chung) Wong and Tori (Doug) Mulhair; his sons Buck Yim (Jenny) Chan and Buck K. (Suzanne) Chan; grandchildren Marilee Wong, Raymond Chan, Lena Chan, Julie Wong, and Michael Chan; his sister Bizhen (Guo) Li and their children, Sam and Joanna; and sister-in-law Shirley Chan and her children Susan (Terry) and Elliot. Funeral Service will be held 2:00 pm Monday, July 11, 2016 at Brookside Funeral Home with Burial Service to follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. SERVICES Funeral service Monday, July 11, 2016 2:00 PM Brookside Funeral Home 500 W. Prospect Moxee, WA 98936