Joe Wong

1925 - 2017

Joe Wong obituary, 1925-2017

Joe Wong

1925 - 2017

BORN

1925

DIED

2017

Joe Wong Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 13, 2017.
Joe Wong, age 91 was born Nov 16,1925 in Yakima, WA in the home of his parents, Yon Wong and Dong Nooy Wong, Chinese immigrants from Southern China. He died peacefully Feb 9,2017, at Memorial Hospital after a life long battle with COPD.

Some of Joe's earliest memories were standing on a crate washing dishes at his dad's Chinese Restaurant on Yakima Avenue. The flood of the early 30's destroyed the restaurant and their home and they were offered a place to live in a potato shed in Terrace Heights. The family aquiredd a piece of land near the river in Union Gap where they did row farming. The family of five lived in a chicken shed with a dirt floor and no running water. At the age of 6 he was given the responsibility to hitch up the team of horses for his dad's delivery wagon to help his dad deliver vegetables to the local grocery stores. His family was
known, at the time, for raising high quality produce and consistently won the blue ribbons at the State Fair competitions. They later went on to develop their own brand of "Blue Ribbon" carrots.

Joe was a pursuer of knowledge. Although he only had an 8th grade formal education ... He was well read and quick to want to learn from those who new their trade. He mentioned back in the day you could have coffee with shop owners and ask questions and they were glad to help you learn anything that would make your life easier. It wasn't about shop rates and time clocks back then ... it was about helping your neighbor. Even at the age of 91, he was still reading and learning, and had even acquired a cell phone!

As a young boy Joe would raise early to do his chores, hop on his bike (which he manufactured) ride from Union Gap area to Fred Meyer area ... pick cherries all day for extra money ... then ride home and do his evening chores. Because the family farm was so rocky ... the kids were always out picking rocks by hand ... they seemed to multiply while he slept!

Joe served in the Army during WWII and was a member of the VFW and American Legion and upon discharge, hired on with Boeing in Seattle as a Machinist. He also worked evenings and weekends for a local carpenter where he would learn skills and abilities to come back to the family farm and build a home for his folks. During this time, he also began raising hay and delivering it all over the NW. Many life-long friends were made from his hay orders and usual restaurant stops along his route. He and his three brothers joined together to form an unbeatable team called "The Wong Bros.", racing dragsters and a hydroplane. In the future, their history and memorabilia will be on tour with Memory Lane Museum of Greater Yakima. Joe was also an accomplished Mechanic and Metal Fabricator ... he loved to cook and garden and, of course ... anyone who knew Joe, knew he loved dogs. In order to be a friend of Joe Wong, you must love dogs. Throughout his life ... he had dozens of dogs ... usually 4 or 5 at a time. He was known for cooking a full Thanksgiving dinner complete with all the trimmings for himself and his dogs. His advice for success was" say what you are going to do ... and do what you say."

Even though Joe never married, or had children, he had several families that he was very close to and they with him. He will be greatly missed..

Joe is preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.

Graveside funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at Tahoma Cemetery. Those wishing to attend may meet at the cemetery.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Joe Wong's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

April 4, 2017

Gerald Wong posted to the memorial.

February 28, 2017

George & Edith Hyndman posted to the memorial.

February 18, 2017

Norma Adkinson posted to the memorial.

Gerald Wong

April 4, 2017

We were not close but I always respected my uncle.
My favorite Quote is "A coward will die a thousand deaths, A brave man dies but once". I believe Joe Wong has only died once.

George & Edith Hyndman

February 28, 2017

Well, well, my Friend. It has been awhile. We met back late summer of 1958 and you have taken care of my needs ever since. Carburetors to battery cables, Chevys to Ford tractors. Somebody had to do it. I couldn't stand it. This reminded me of us:
You do not need a score of men to laugh and sing with you;
You do not need a monarch's smile to light your way along;
Through weal or woe a friend or two will fill your days with song.
So let the throng go on its way and let the crowd depart;
But one or two will keep the faith when you are sick at heart;
And rich you'll be and comforted, when gray skies hide the blue,
If you can turn and share your grief with such a friend as you.
And so, Joseph, Mamma has super ready, better come along. We never missed a step here, why start on the other side of the Pearly Gates. Your long time Friends, George and Edith

Norma Adkinson

February 18, 2017

I will miss Joe but know he is at peace now. He would deliver hay to our farm every year. My fondest memory was Joe's generosity by always taking my sibling and me out for hamburgers at the local drive-in. It would always include either a movie or bowling. Whenever we came to Yakima, Joe would take us out to eat and drive us around to find the best peaches to take home.

ZAMMIE ZAMARRIPA

February 17, 2017

JOE WONG FAMILY....
I WAS VERY SAD TO READ ABOUT JOE PASSING. I CUT HIS HAIR FOR MANY YEARS. IN FACT, I HAD JUST CUT HIS HAIR COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. I REALLY LIKE JOE, ALWAYS CAME WITH DOGS, WHO WERE ALWAYS IN THE CAR, WATCHING FOR HIM TO COME OUT OF THE BARBER SHOP.
JOE WAS ONE OF THE "LAST OF THE GOOD GUYS", GOING TO MISS HIM. TO THE FAMILY MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY.

ZAMMIE ZAMARRIPA, OF ZAMMIE'S BARBER SHOP
1715 S. 3RD AVE.#5, YAKIMA,WA.

February 16, 2017

Judith Baughman Saxe

Eugene Wong Jr

February 16, 2017

We will truly miss you Uncle Joe
You've had a full life, so may you Rest In peace now
Until we meet again on the other side we will be missing your smile, laugh and our car talks.

Frieda Brester

February 14, 2017

I am so sorry to hear that Joe has passed away. I have known him for almost 60 year's and saw him last August. My sister and I went to Yakima to get peaches and we always meet Joe at his favorite restaurant. Him and I always called each other on Birthdays and Holidays. Our family first met Joe when he used to haul hay over here in Bellingham and Custer. I know he is in a better place now but still a great loss to me.

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Keith & Keith Funeral Home -Yakima

902 West Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA 98902

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Sign Joe Wong's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

April 4, 2017

Gerald Wong posted to the memorial.

February 28, 2017

George & Edith Hyndman posted to the memorial.

February 18, 2017

Norma Adkinson posted to the memorial.