FLOYDS KNOBS TONG, DAVID HAGAN, "The measure of a happy life is not from the fewer or more suns we behold, the fewer or more breaths we draw, or meals we repeat, but from having once lived well, acted our part handsomely, and made our exit cheerfully." Lord Shaftsbury 49, of Floyds Knobs, previously from Louisville, died after a brave battle with cancer, on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 in his loving home surrounded by friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Arthur Tong and Margaret Zeta Hagan Tong.
David is survived by his lifelong soul mate, Lisa Atwell Tong, two beautiful daughters, Savanna Christian Tong, 24, and Elizabeth Quinn Tong, 11; three adoring grandsons, Trey Baus, 5 and twins, Logan and Brayden, 4; a younger brother John Eric Tong (Kay) and their children, Jason, Jeremy and Sara, whom he loved dearly.
He is survived by his mother-in-law, Barbara Rivera (Gabe); four sisters-in-law, Debbie Bailey (Bill) of Okeechobee, FL, Sherry Tutor (Denny) of Fruitland Park, FL, Natalie London (Mike) of Woodburn, KY; Julie Gardner (Troy) of Bowling Green and a brother-in-law, Bobby Atwell, Jr. (Penny) of Adams, TN as well as countless aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom respected and loved David immensely. He will also be missed by dear friends, neighbors, colleagues and students.
David was a 1977 graduate of St. Xavier High School, received his BA in graphic design in 1986 and a Masters of Arts in Teaching in 1992 from the University of Louisville. He was a teacher at Highland Middle School for the past 14 years, where he touched the lives of many children and their parents encouraging learning and building strong leaders for the future. He had a wide variety of interests and loves, among them, nature, sports, music, art and people. David brought his warmth, adventuresome spirit, sense of humor, quick wit and his loving smile to all those who had the fortune to meet him. He will live on through all those who knew and loved him.
Visitation will be held at Highlands Family-Owned Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd. on Saturday, September 26 from 5 - 8 p.m. and Sunday, September 27, 2 - 4 p.m. with his life's memorial service on Sunday at Douglass Blvd. Christian Church at 6 p.m. with a reception to follow at 7 p.m. The burial at Cave Hill Cemetery will occur privately with the family at a later date.
The family wanted to thank the many individuals who provided care and compassion to David during his illness. Among those are John Hamm, Dr. Gary Vitale, Dr. Tobias, the staff of the Norton Cancer Institute and Norton Hospital, in particular, nurses, Melinda, Ruth Ann, Jan and Al, as well as friends, Paul & Bee Schreck, Mike Bowling, the "St. X Brotherhood", Kevin Goodwin and Dave and Cindy Becker. His wife would like to thank the many co-workers at Kosair Children's Hospital who have provided love and support over the past few months.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Children's Foundation Ride To Conquer Cancer or a scholarship fund being established at L & N Federal Credit Union for his children and grandchildren.
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