John Tong's Obituary
John Yiu Wai Tong passed away peacefully on July 16 surrounded by loving family. John was born in Oakland, the son of Kai Yui Tong and Soo Hoo Fay Fong, who emigrated from China. He had many happy memories of growing up in Oakland’s Chinatown with his sister Frances, brother Will, and uncle Rick who was raised like a brother. After graduating from Oakland Technical High School in 1956, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and proudly served his country, including an assignment in Hawaii before statehood.
After working at Oakland’s legendary Kwik Way, John joined AC Transit. One of his favorite stories from 27 years as a bus driver was helping his passengers get home after the Loma Prieta Earthquake. With the Bay Bridge closed, John drove his stranded passengers from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, through Marin, Richmond, Berkeley, and Oakland. Late into the night, he delivered grateful passengers as close to their homes as possible.
John was welcoming and easygoing, drawing people into lifelong friendships. Whether meeting friends for weekly dinners in Chinatown, joining his brother and friends for golf, bowling, gathering for coffee, or enjoying SIRs activities, John surrounded himself with friends. Many friends and family members visited and comforted John and his wife Carol during John’s final weeks.
In 1977, his sister Frances Tong Lum introduced John to the love of his life, Carol Putney. He loved his roles as step dad to Carol’s daughters and grandpa to their children. Carol and John lived in Alameda and shared a love of travel. They enjoyed trips in the U.S. and to Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and to John’s ancestral village in China. On his favorite adventure, John enjoyed the pageantry of the Queen’s Birthday Parade in England and indulged his lifelong passion for military history.
John was an avid sports fan. He loved football and golf, and was dedicated to the Oakland Raiders. He took great pleasure in watching his nephew, A.J. Tong, play basketball and water polo in Alameda.
John will be dearly missed by his wife of 21 years, Carol Putney, sister Frances Tong Lum (Mel), brother Will Tong (Anita), stepdaughters Christina Kelleigh and Corrie Florez, grandchildren Mason, Corrie Jane, James and Sarah, nieces Taryn, Kathy, LeLani and Danyelle, nephew A.J., cousins, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his uncle Rick, nephew Darrel, and dear friends. We will miss John and we’re better people for knowing him. Semper Fi Marine.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of John’s life at Chapel of the Chimes on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland on August 25 at 1 pm, to be followed by a luncheon in Alameda. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts to the charity of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?