Donald H. Woo Sr.

1925 - 2018

Donald H. Woo, Sr.

Phoenix Donald H. Woo, Sr. (October 25, 1925-April 8, 2018) worked hard for the quiet attainments of his life: a devoted marriage, a well-provided family, caring friends, satisfied customers, platters of something delicious—a sea bass, a red-tinted cut of Chinese barbecue—to mark the day's triumphs. Passing away in a daytime slumber at his nursing home in Phoenix, he was a man who, in his prime, frowned at midday naps because the dreams he preferred were never the impractical ones to be found in sleep.

The chaos of China in the 1930s and 40s had much to do with his wide-eyed pragmatism. Born in a small village near Hoiping, he grew up in a time of war and famine. To be useful and unbowed was the only way to persevere. Despite his skill in the art of calligraphy, his youthful dream was to make money from the special oven and recipe that produced the perfect barbecue pork (sil gee). He was the pride of his village for gaining admission to Sun Yat-sen University in Canton, but during the turmoil of the revolution, he cut his studies short when his father, who had gone ahead to America, sent for him and his mother.

In 1948 he came to Phoenix to work in the little Chinatown along First Street downtown, where he met his wife, Gail. They married in 1950 and soon had three children. Donald's Chinese dream became an American one: as a grocer, he ended up selling rotisserie chicken and tamales rather than sil gee. He and Gail struggled with a series of stores in Phoenix and Mesa before succeeding, in the late 50s, with Food Star Market in Cashion, then an hour west of town. For the sake of his family, he commuted seven days a week for 12-hour workdays during the entirety of his youth and middle age. He was friendly and bantering with his regular customers, generous with credit to his poorer clientele, and happy to deliver goods at nearby migrant-worker camps. After his retirement in the 1980s, he spent his time caring for Gail, who had become an invalid. Donald wheeled her to Suns games, and they always felt optimistic about the Valley, where they had bought inexpensive land on the fringes in the certainty that it would one day be swallowed by the headlong sprawl.

Gail died in 2003, and after 52 years of marriage, Donald made the difficult transition to life on his own. He became active in the local clubs of speakers of his dialect, which provided an excuse for his favorite pastime, eating and socializing at Chinese restaurants. He also felt free to travel for the first time, going to Asia and Europe and taking a cruise to the melting glaciers of Alaska. In his last decade he was a beloved figure at his nursing home, known for his eager smile and lightness of spirit. His fondest times were family gatherings, where he was now the quiet, beatific figure at the head of the dinner table, smiling at his children and grandchildren and, in his last two years, his great-grandchildren.

Donald Woo, Sr., was preceded in death by his wife Gail, his father Henry, his mother Quon Ngook Lem, and his brother Tom. His survivors include his elder son Donald, Jr. (Ginger), his daughter Peggy Zarotsang (Chimey), and his younger son David. His grandchildren are Michael Delgado, Melanie Owen (Ryan), and Stephen Woo. Melanie and Ryan's children are Eliana and Evan. Other survivors include the children of his brother and their spouses: Jack Woo (Joyce), Linda Woo, and Tom Woo (Sara).

Visitation is on Friday, April 27, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM, at Serenity Chapel, Greenwood Memory Lawn, 719 North 27th Avenue, Phoenix. The funeral service is on Saturday, April 28, 2:00 PM, also at Serenity Chapel. Gravesite service occurs afterwards, at 3:15 PM, at the Encanto Evergreen Mausoleum at Greenwood.