Jean Ong Sugita

Jean was born in Canton, China and immigrated to the United States with her parents, Jeong Koh Ong and Wong Shee Ong, in 1932. While in Detroit, Michigan, Jean helped her parents run their family laundry. When she was 15 she came by train to Houston, along with her younger sister Margaret. The rest of the family followed in 1945. In Houston, the family opened Koh Ong Food Market. For many years, the small food store served the community and became an iconic neighborhood hangout. During most of this time, Jean ran the store with the help of her sister, Mary Ann and brother Albert. After her parents' deaths, Jean continued to maintain the small family store until she retired and the store closed in 2006 after 61 years. Throughout her life, family was foremost in Jean's heart and thoughts. With each loss, she found strength in keeping the rest of the family together. The birth of her only grandson, Tristan, brought new hope after the death of her husband, Richard in 1988. The devastating loss of her beloved daughter, Lisa, was only recoverable by the joyous birth of her great-granddaughter, Kairi. Jean is survived by her daughter, Michele McKian, her grandson Tristan McKian and wife Emily McKian and their daughter Kairi. She also leaves behind brother Albert, and sisters Margaret, Virginia and Irene. Also numerous nieces and nephews and their families, as well as lifelong friends and acquaintances.