Stanford Fong's Obituary
Fong, Stanford, age 83, of Garland, Texas, passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2011, following a lengthy illness. Born August 6, 1927, in Lake Village, Arkansas, he was united in marriage to Ellen Farrar on April 9, 1948, in Lake Village. He was one of 10 children born to immigrant parents from China. He grew up during the Great Depression and was a leader among his peers, serving as president of the student body, senior class and student council as well as captain of the football team. In 1945, he entered Southern Methodist University on a football scholarship. He joined the Army in 1946, served in Japan during WWII and was discharged in 1948. After graduating from SMU in 1950, he was recalled to active duty in the Army and served in Korea from 1950 to 1951. Fong worked for Collins Radio Company/Rockwell International and retired in 1987. He served as a Methodist minister for many years. He was well known for his civic leadership. He served on the Garland (Texas) City Council from 1980 to 1984 and served as mayor pro-tem in 1983. In 1990, he received a presidential appointment in the George H.W. Bush administration and served as confidential assistant to the regional administrator in the General Services Administration. He served on the Dallas County Appraisal Review Board from 1990 to 1996 and was chairman from 1995 to 1996. Fong served as the chairman of the Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce and remains on the honorary advisory board. He was a director of the Community Credit Union (Viewpoint Bank) for more than 22 years. Fong is featured in a permanent exhibit at the Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture as one of the early Asian settlers in Dallas County. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ellen Fong; brothers Benny Fong and Wally Fong; daughters Louise and husband Dr. Frank Sharp, Debbie and husband Dr. Jerry Hopson, and Judy and husband Ralph West; son Don Fong and wife Paula; daughter-in-law Cynthia Fong; grandchildren Christina Montgomery, Nicole Robinson, Annette Brack, Jamie Sharp, Logan Sharp, Morgan Hopson, Wilson Fong and Claire Fong; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of other family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, seven siblings and son Major Ronald Stanford Fong (U.S. Army Retired). Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 3:30 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home Memorial Chapel, Dallas, Texas, with Rev. Wally Butts officiating. Interment will follow at Restland Funeral Home Garden of Wisdom. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Cornerstone United Methodist Church, 7502 North Garland Avenue, Garland, Texas 75044, or charities of choice. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243, 972-238-7111.
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