Jason Richard Pong

Jason Richard Pong was born on October 23rd, 1979 in Passaic, New Jersey, to Richard Gork Sim Pong, and Lenora Leiko Pong (nee. Morita). After a few years in New Jersey, a few years in Wisconsin, and a few years in Takoma Park, Maryland, the family, now including siblings Kathryn and Adam, settled into a house in Silver Spring, Maryland where they lived for a long time.

Growing up, Jason made many lifelong friends at Springbrook High School, and at the family’s church, the Silver Spring Church of Christ. He loved sports of all kinds, especially lacrosse and football, was an NHS scholar, and still had time to create his own language. Many summers were spent at Camp Wamava in Virginia, and Camp Hunt in upstate New York, first as a camper, and then as a counselor. The family lived close to and spent a lot of time with his Uncle Andrew, Aunt Esther, and cousins Jennifer and Kimberly.

Jason graduated in 1998 from Springbrook High School and then attended the University of Maryland: College Park. He became a brother of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, and earned a BS in Computer Engineering and a BA in Psychology. In 2004, Jason moved to Los Angeles, California to attend the University of Southern California in the Masters program for Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience.

While at USC, Jason made a donation that was received across the country in New Jersey, where Mel and Shelley became the parents of Zak, Laila, and Fineas. Mel and Shelley reached out to Jason and over the years, they became close to the whole Pong family.

After college, Jason lived in a number of places, including Venice Beach, California, and Henderson, Nevada before moving to Las Vegas. He held a number of jobs and worked with a number of companies, including Owner of The Stowboard, Global Sales Manager at Full Spectrum Laser, and Director of Analytics and Internal Projects with CadBlu, Inc. He also operated an Etsy shop with laser engraved items.

Throughout college and for years after, Jason continued to engage with his love of sports and fitness, winning body-building contests, joining lacrosse and football teams, and skiing, surfing, and stowboarding. He also pursued a love of music, and enjoyed playing the guitar and singing by himself and with friends.

In 2014, Jason joined a kickball league that played near his home. Through the kickball community he met Wendy Floyd, the love of his life in June of 2016. They welcomed Morgan Violet into their lives in 2017 and then Valen Riker in 2019. Jason loved being a father, his greatest joy was caring for and being with his wife and children.

Jason was diagnosed with colorectal cancer while Wendy was pregnant with Valen. Though the cancer and the treatments were painful, he had a lot to live for, and fought to regain his health. After enduring surgery and chemo he came back to kickball-this time as a captain of his own team, “No Love.” Jason led this team to back-to-back championships in the local Wednesday league and several out of state tournaments, including a charity event in the brand new SO-FI stadium in LA.

In September of 2022, Jason, Wendy, Morgan, and Valen traveled to New Jersey to celebrate the B’nai Mitzvah of the triplets, Zak, Fineas, and Laila. His sister, Kat and her family were there to celebrate as well.

Just as he and his family were beginning the next leg of the planned 3-week vacay, Jason suddenly fell ill. He checked into the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and was treated for sepsis. The doctors attempted surgery and Jason’s condition briefly improved enough for him to open his eyes and see and hear that Wendy was there with him. In the next few hours however, the sepsis progressed to septic shock, and he went into cardiac arrest. If anyone could have survived, Jason would have, but after a long hard fight, he passed away on in the evening of September 14th, 2022 with Wendy nearby. In a coincidence he would have shaken his head at, his spirit left his body just 16 miles from the hospital where he had entered the world 42 years ago.

Jason was a fierce competitor, sentimental, generous with his time and knowledge, and worked hard to maintain a warrior’s physique. But under the tough exterior, he was a sensitive soul who loved small dogs, children, and other “coot” things. He would talk to anyone and feed everyone. While his time with us was too short, Jason lived a lot in the life he had, seizing every day and every moment hard core. He will be missed greatly by all who loved him, and his presence will be remembered for many years by all he loved.

A visitation for Jason will be held Wednesday, September 28, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at King David Memorial Chapel, 2697 E Eldorado Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89120. A reception will occur Wednesday, September 28, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 2697 E Eldorado Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89120. A visitation will occur Thursday, September 29, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, 2697 E Eldorado Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89120. A reception will occur Thursday, September 29, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 2697 E Eldorado Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89120. A memorial service will occur Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, 2697 E Eldorado Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89120. A reception will occur Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, 2697 E Eldorado Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89120.

Fond memories and expressions of love and sympathy may be shared at www.kingdavidlv.com for the Pong family.