Dr. George Wong, Jr.

Dr. George Wong Jr., 84, of Springfield, Missouri, died Oct. 11, 2008, at his home, from complications associated with a long-term illness. Born in 1924 in Canton, China, he immigrated to the United States in 1935 with his mother, the late Yim King Mar, to join his father, the late George Hauk Wong, who had previously immigrated to the United States some years earlier. He was raised in Alamosa, Colorado where he learned to love the American West.

As a physician, he dedicated his life to his community and patients. He received his medical degree at the University of Lausanne, in Lausanne, Switzerland, where he studied from 1952 to 1957, and where he met his wife and life partner Blanche Travers Wong. After completing his training in neurology at the University of Kansas, he moved to Springfield in 1966 to establish Springfield's first neurologic practice.

Prior to medical school, Dr. Wong served as an officer in the United States Army and was deployed in Germany from 1945 to 1947. Outside of his work, he enjoyed cooking traditional Chinese food for his family and friends, carrying on the legacy of his parent's restaurant business in his own kitchen, and often referred to himself as the "Doctor of Chinese Cuisine."

Dr. Wong was dedicated to his family and children. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Blanche Wong, who was by his side until the end, six children, and 12 grandchildren: Dr. George F. Wong, III, his wife Vicki Wong and their two children, Raymond and Alexandra, of Springfield; Dr. Natalie Wong Calhoon, her husband Mike Calhoon, and their children, Nikki, Billy, and Madi Berberich and Annie and Allie Calhoon of St. Louis; Dr. Jean-Marc C. Wong, his wife Vania Cordeiro DeSousa Wong, and their daughter Anabela, of Boulder, Colorado; Jean-Paul Wong, his wife Heather Wong and their three children, Travers, Isabelle, and Amelie, of Kansas City; Dr. Mimi Wong, her partner Maria Dalebroux, and their daughter, Audrey, of Denver; and Gabrielle Wong of Washington, DC.

He and his wife recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 1, 2008, which was joyfully attended by their entire family.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008 with prayer services starting at 7 p.m. in Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008 in Holy Trinity Catholic Church under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Parkinson's Clinic of the Ozarks 1001 E. Primrose Springfield, MO 65807. Online condolences can be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.