RICHARD A. FONG

TROY -- Richard Albert Fong, age 76, of Troy, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at Heartland of Piqua.

He was born Jan. 24, 1939, in Boise, Idaho, to the late Harry and Alice (Chan) Fong. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jean (Posinski) Fong of Troy, whom he married on June 26, 1965, at Little Flower Catholic Church in Cincinnati. Jean is a longtime and recently retired teacher at St. Patrick School in Troy.

In addition to his wife, Richard is survived by five children and their spouses: Chris (and Julie) Fong of Baltimore, Md.; Steven (and Delaine) Fong of Union, Ky.; Julie (and Brad) Barker of Troy, Ohio; David (and Michelle) Fong of Troy, Ohio; and Jenny Fong (and Jeff Dulle) of Columbus, Ohio.

He also is survived by 14 grandchildren: Christopher Fong of Columbus, Alex Williams of Troy, Kennedy Fong of Union, Ky., Julia Rose Williams of Troy, Caeden Fong of Baltimore, Md., Jordan Fong of Union, Ky., Sophia Fong of Troy, Emerson Fong of Union, Ky., Parker Fong of Baltimore, Md., Saylor Fong of Union, Ky., Maximilian Fong of Troy, Remington Fong of Baltimore, Md., Hartley Dulle of Columbus and Elianah Dulle of Columbus.

Richard was one of nine siblings growing up in Boise. He is survived by seven siblings and their spouses: Hazel Sun (Victor) of San Francisco, Calif.; Edmond Fong of Concord, Calif.; Gilbert Fong (Mae) of Los Gatos, Calif.; Robert Fong (Janet) of Martinez, Calif.; Gladys Fong of San Francisco, Calif.; Katheryn Fong (Andrew MacInnis) of Sebastopol, Calif.; and Claudia Wong (Wayman) of Concord, Calif.

He also is survived by many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Harry Fong, on Nov. 28, 1962, and his mother Alice (Chan) Fong on Sept. 13, 1993. He was preceded in death by his brother Raymond Fong in 2005. His brother Harry Fong Jr. died in 1928 as an infant.

He graduated from Boise High School in 1957. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in business. Having served in the ROTC in high school and at the University of Idaho, Richard was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army. He served as an officer in an artillery unit while also making enough successful jumps to earn his airborne wings. While serving overseas in Germany, he met his wife, Jean, who taught the children of Army parents.

Throughout a long career in business management, Richard worked for GE, Globe Union, Jergens, and the corporate offices for Friendly's Ice Cream, Ponderosa, Metromedia Steakhouses as director of purchasing, Long John Silver's and Charley's Steakery. During his career, he also went back to school and received a master's degree in business administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati.

In his high school days, Richard was a letter winner in football, basketball and track and field. He was an all-conference selection in football and a state champion and state record-holding sprinter in track and field. He also was a pitcher in the summer for the local American Legion baseball team. He was his high school senior class vice president. He enjoyed hunting during his youth. He took great pride in his years of serving his country through the U.S. Army. After marriage and children, he was actively involved as a youth sports coach while his five children were growing up. More recently, in his retirement years, he enjoyed cooking for his family, rooting for the Ohio State and Cincinnati Bengals football teams and cheering on his grandchildren at their sporting and extracurricular events. His 14 grandchildren were his pride and joy.

A memorial visitation will take place on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, from 5-8 p.m. at Baird Funeral Home, 555 N. Market St., Troy, Ohio. A memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, 409 E. Main St., Troy, Ohio. Burial with military honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery, 101 Riverside Drive, Troy, Ohio.  Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.  Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.