Thomas Chinn

Thomas Chinn, son of Chin Chong Dung and Leung Shee, died January 21 of age related illness. Tom was born April 26, 1926 in San Francisco and was the youngest of 12 children. Tom served as a technical sergeant now known as Sergeant First Class in the 11th armored division in World War II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and marching into Linz aided in the liberation of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp where he was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery. After the war, he graduated from UC Berkeley in 1948 with a degree in mechanical engineering and worked for the State of California in the General Services Division for 37 years rising to the title of Deputy State Architect. He graduated from McGeorge School of Law in 1959. Tom served 12 years as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Sacramento School District and 9 years as a member of the Sacramento City Council. He also served 5 years as a Commissioner of the Port of Sacramento. In his retirement years, Tom stayed active with his hobbies, photography, computing, and volunteer community activities with the Belle Coolidge Library. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie of 63 years and daughter Patti, (Henry), son Tim and grandchildren Eric, Jaime, and Michael, his sister Anne and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two daughters Jacki and Terry. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Asian Community Center at 7311 Greenhaven Drive, Sacramento, CA 95831.