Frank J Gong

Frank J Gong, a longtime resident of Fresno, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at the age of 88. He would have celebrated his 89th birthday on December 30. He is survived by his wife, Betty Quon Gong; daughter Allison Gong; son Kevin Gong; son Paul Gong; and grandson Ethan Gong and granddaughter December Gong.

Frank was born on December 30, 1935 in Visalia, California. He graduated from Hanford Joint Union High School and attended College of the Sequoias in Visalia before earning his Bachelor in Business Administration from Golden Gate College in San Francisco in 1959. After college he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1959, and he served in active duty until 1961, followed by four years in the Army Reserves.

From a young age, Frank was involved the Gong family grocery business. Frank was in the Army when the first Gong’s Market was opened in 1959, but once he was stationed at Fort Ord in Monterey, California, he came back to Fresno every weekend to work in the store. In 1969, Frank and his siblings Jane Young and Tom Gong opened the second Gong’s Market, which closed in 1988. After the closure of the second Gong’s Market, Frank continued to manage two shopping centers, one at First and Bullard and the other at Bullard and West.

Some of Frank’s hobbies included trap-shooting, bowling, photography, ballroom dancing, cycling, and spending time with his family. He was a lifelong fan of San Francisco sports teams, including the Giants, 49ers, and Warriors. After retirement he enjoyed traveling with Betty and their circle of friends, cruising around the world. He liked cooking for friends and family, and smoked up a mean Thanksgiving turkey.

Visitation hours are 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel, 202 N. Teilman, Fresno CA 93706. A celebration of Frank’s life will be held at Campus Bible Church, 4710 N. Maple Avenue, Fresno CA 93726 at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024. An interment will follow at Belmont Memorial Park, 201 N. Teilman, Fresno CA 93706 in Fresno.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Frank’s name to a charity of your choice.