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BORN
1937
DIED
2018
Wing Lum Obituary
Lansing - Wing Dot Lum went to be with the Lord on September 16th. He was born in Guangzhou, China to Walter Ling and Chew Shee Lum on April 7, 1937. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Rebecca; Children: Kerry (Meisan), Kenneth, Aaron (Amy) and Jessica VanOss (Jeff); Grandchildren: Ayden, Taylor and Elsie; Brothers: Wing Wah (Mary Jo) and Wing Foo (Kim); and countless nieces and nephews.
Wing arrived in the U.S. and became a citizen at the age of 12. He learned English by visiting the movie theater below his family's Foo Ying restaurant on Washington Avenue in Lansing. He graduated from Sexton High School and Michigan State University. When his father died, he took over the Foo Ying at age 22 and enjoyed the restaurant life until he retired in 1995. Wing appreciated cooking all his life and loved to celebrate with meals shared with family, friends, and\or strangers. Wing was kind and always willing to help those in need.
Memorial services will be at Riverview Church, 1115 S. Washington Ave, Lansing, MI, on Thursday, September 20th at 11am. While there will be no viewing, the family will be receiving visitors an hour prior to service. He will be buried in Maple Ridge Cemetery in Holt.
A special thanks to Prestige Pines' staff's loving care of Wing as he struggled with dementia.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing in memory of Wing.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Wing Lum
Ben Brown
September 14, 2024
Wing Dot was one of my and my brother Jon's best friends from 7th grade through college and many years after. Wing Dot taught me how to play badminton, handball, and tennis. I really miss him. He was a loyal friend. I had lunch at the Foo Ying Cafe many times until it caught on fire. Ben Brown
Ben Brown
July 3, 2021
My brother Jon and I were longtime friends of Wing Dot. He taught me how to play ping pong at the Lansing YMCA, and tennis and handball. We also had many racketball games together. Wing was a longtime member of the Lansing Y where we played court games together, and soaked in the spa. Being friends with Wing is one of my treasured memories. We had many lunches together at the Foo Ying Cafe on Washington street. He and his mother wouldn't let me pay. Above the cafe was a huge indoor garden where they grew many vegetables and other plants used for cooking. I din't know Wing's father very well, but he was a distinguished Lansing citizen. His mother worked at the restaurant as a manager and waitress. Wing had two brothers -- Wing Wah and Wing Foo. One became a Lansing police officer and I don't recall the occupation of the other brother. Wing Dot was my best friend throughout junior high, high school, and college. It was a sad day when I learned that he passed away. But my memories of friendship will always be happy and pleasant.
Marlene Gmazel-Carey
September 21, 2018
I have so many wonderful memories of Wing Dot. He was a good friend of my brother, LeRoy Gmazel, so he was at our home many times while they were at Sexton. I loved going to the Foo Ying Cafe in Lansing, it was a special place. All the Gmazel siblings were together at LeRoy's in WA last week and we talked about Wing Dot and all our wonderful memories of him. LeRoy got a photo of the two of them from high school. I didn't know about his passing until today. Sincere condolences from our family to yours.
Carla Kennedy-Giddings
September 20, 2018
Oh I am so sorry. I was just talking to someone about Wing Dot a couple of weeks ago. What a delightful, gentle man. Sending prayers of comfort to all who loved and knew him.
Robyn Chrisman Sheely
September 20, 2018
My deepest sympathy to his family. I can remember going to the Foo Ying every Sunday after church, eating in a private dining room. When we were leaving Wing would give me and my sister a package of Teaberry gum. Such fond memories.
Larry Ball
September 20, 2018
took my son and daughter to his family restaurant upstairs on Washington Ave. Little booth with beaded curtains . Wing Dot came over and taught my 6 and 7 year old son and daughter how to use chop sticks , made their day , they still remember his concern at the age of 58 and 59. Truly a nice guy.
Kathy Sisco Smith
September 20, 2018
I am so sorry to hear of Wing's passing. I got to know him when my parents would take me to Foo Ying Cafe. I knew his father better and remember him being a very outgoing and jolly man. My father owned a drug store downtown and I remember him telling of Walter (before his family came to the U.S.) having difficulty getting nylons for his wife due to the war. My father saw to it that Walter had nylons to send his wife in China. I loved the food at Foo Ying and to this day nothing really compares to what Foo Ying and Wing Dot's restaurants served. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Larry Ball
September 20, 2018
Friend since West Jr. 9th grade. When my son and daughter were 5 and 6 years old I took them upstairs to his family restaurant. A real adventure for them a little booth with beaded curtains To top it off Wing Dot came over and taught them how to use chopsticks. At 58 and 59 they still consider it a highlight . He was some kind and considerate guy.
Paula Ing-Chen
September 20, 2018
Wing Dot will be missed and we are sorry we couldn't stay longer in Michigan to give our cousins our support during these most difficult times. I will always remember him as the Asian version of Jerry Lewis. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
September 19, 2018
Sorry for the loss of a dear love one. May you find comfort during this grieving moment. Matthew 5:4
Katherine Ing
September 19, 2018
Lynda Taylor
September 19, 2018
May you rest in peace knowing that you are
well loved, Wing was always generous, kind and a wonderful chef. My best wishes to your family, my heart goes out to Rebecca, who has loved and care for you so many years. You will be greatly missed.
Jason and Cheri Buehler
September 18, 2018
We are saddend to learn of Wing Dot's passing. He was a wonderful person. We send our sincere condolences and think the suggestion of supporting the Boys and Girls Club is wonderful, and will certainly do so.
Carol Hodge Hebert
September 18, 2018
I remember as a very young girl (5 or 6 years old) looking forward to climbing the stairs all the way up to the Foo Ying with my mom, and sister. I knew I would be able to see Wing Dot. He was my friend and that is all I knew. Didn't really matter that he didn't speak like me, he was fun and that is all that mattered. Walter (his dad) always made sure we got Teaberry gum as we left. If Walter was not there for some reason then Eddie made sure we got some. I have thought of him and his family thru the years every time Teaberry gum was mentioned. I was fortunate enough to run into Wing Dot again while having a luncheon date. What a nice and handsome man he had became. I feel very fortunate to have know Wing Dot. I am sure he will be greatly missed by many. Rest in Peace Wing Dot knowing you made a difference.
September 18, 2018
Wing Dot was one of the most generous men I have ever meet. I remember the Lansing State Journal artical soe years ago about a taxi driver that picked up a couple at the bus station, bought them food and put them in a hotel. That was Wing Dot. His father Walter was also a very generous person, he frequently had college students from MSU coe and stay over night at their home. Teaching them English and helping them get along i the USA.
Last but not lest, Wing Dot was Sexton's best PING PONG player. No one could beat him.
Joe Lam
September 18, 2018
May Wing Dot rest in peace. He was my oldest cousin and was always kind to me. I've lived in Texas most of my life, so have not seen Wing much thru the years. However, I was fortunate to visit with him a couple years ago at the nursing home in DeWitt. He greeted me with that familiar Wing Dot- smile that makes you feel so welcomed around Wing. We reminisced about all those Friday and Saturday nites so many years ago (well over 50 + years) when we would play cards into the wee hours after the restaurant closed at 10pm. While playing cards, our conversations often covered the trials and tribulations of growing up in America as first generations Chinese. Though he immigrated to the States as a 12 year old, I was first generation American born. Our heritage and family ties made for an unspoken bond. During that visit to the nursing home, Wing also reviewed sentimental stories of how my mom helped cared for him as a child so many years ago back in China. He never forgot that. In that moment, I became keenly aware that Wing is the last direct connection to my late parents during their years in China.
It was very touching. My memories of Wing Dot will always be endearing to my heart.
Joe Lam
Austin, TX 9/18/2018
Wing Dot at Camp Barakel with my parents, Johnnie and Hester Johnson 1950
David Johnson
September 18, 2018
Katherine Ing
September 18, 2018
I always loved our trips to Lansing, love the Lum Family, and Loved Wing Dot. He was super entertaining and always showed us a great time, be it by eating at a restaurant where everyone knew him, going to a disco, or showing us his latest and craziest venture! These, and many more memories I hold dear to my heart ❤
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