Dr. James Bok Wong

1924 - 2018

January 25, 1924 - May 25, 2018 Surrounded by family, Dr. James B. Wong recently passed away peacefully at the age of 94 after a brief illness. Active for decades in the Chinese community of Los Angeles, James was well-known for his tireless efforts to promote higher education by providing scholarships to bright, deserving students through the Chinese American Citizen's Alliance Foundation. James's life journey began when he fled war-torn China as a young teenager, making his way alone to New York City in the late 1930s. Originally placed in grade school because he only spoke Cantonese, he quickly advanced through the grades as he became more proficient with English. He finally graduated valedictorian from the prestigious Peter Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan in 1943. James was drafted into the military upon completing high school and joined the 14th Air Force where he served as a bomb sight specialist stationed in China. Before being folded into the 14th Air Force, the 23rd Fighter Group was formed from the First American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Chinese Air Force, nicknamed the "Flying Tigers." At the conclusion of World War II, James met and married Wai Ping Lim in Shanghai in 1946. They returned to the US where he began undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, completing bachelor's degrees in both Agricultural Engineering (1949) and Chemical Engineering (1950). Their first child, John, was born in 1948. James continued his studies at the University of Illinois where he earned his doctorate in Chemical Engineering (1954). James's first job was in Chicago with Standard Oil of Indiana, and while living in Illinois their second child, Jane, was born. Seeking a milder climate, James moved the family in 1955 to Berkeley, Calif., where he took a position with Shell Development Corp., and the next year Julia was born. After living in Berkeley for six years, James relocated the family to Los Angeles when he took a job with Rexall Drug and Chemical Co. (later to be renamed Dart Industries) in 1961. While with Dart Industries, James headed up long range planning, and eventually he ascended to the position of Chief Economist. He retired from Dart Industries in 1981, after which he formed a consulting firm primarily working with companies who were looking to form business relationships in China. An important aspect of James's life was his longtime involvement with the Chinese community in Los Angeles, primarily through the Chinese American Citizen's Alliance (C.A.C.A). Another enjoyable pastime involved participation in Flying Tiger reunions organized both in the United States and in China. James enjoyed 55 wonderful years of marriage to Wai Ping until her passing in 2001. He was remarried in 2002 to Betty Yeow, who is also active in the Chinese community, and together they traveled extensively and shared many common interests. James was predeceased by his first wife, Wai Ping Wong, and he is survived by their three adult children, Dr. John Wong (Roberta Boyer), Dr. Jane Yee (Dr. Bartley Yee), and Dr. Julia Ngan (Ben Ngan), six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Mrs. Betty Yeow, her adult son Arthur Yeow and her grandson. We would all like to thank the physicians, nurses and staff of St. Vincent's Medical Center involved with James's care. Funeral services will take place Saturday, June 23rd, 10:30 am at Forest Lawn Glendale, Church of the Recessional. A viewing will take place in Forest Lawn Mortuary on Friday, June 22nd, 5 to 9 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to C.A.C.A. Foundation, 763 Yale St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.