Jack Lun Chack Fong

Jack Lun Chack Fong of Stockton, California, who passed away in his home during the early morning hours between midnight October 24th and 3 a.m. October 25, 2019—just five days after his 79th birthday.

Jack was born in San Francisco, California on October 20, 1940 to immigrant parents—Henry Fong (aka Fong Chew Kay, Fong Kay Toy) and Chung Shee Fong (aka Jeung, Yut Kue) in San Francisco’s “China Town.” Jack graduated from Balboa High School in San Francisco and later studied art, music, and drafting at San Francisco City College.

The U.S. Army drafted Jack, wherein he served from 1964-1969 and received “Reserve Status” of 2 years. From 1969 til 1999, he worked for Charles B. Farrow (aka CBF Inc, EDC Inc, Toft-Wolff-Farrow Inc), as an electrical draftsman. He also worked for 3 other companies for short periods of time, but always returned to Charles B. Farrow.

He loved “Classical Music,” especially “Choral Music;” and during his high-school years he sang in the choir of the Chinese United Methodist Church: Later he sang (for almost 30 years) with the San Francisco Civic Choral, directed by Winifred Baker. Additionally, Jack enjoyed and subscribed to performances of major artists throughout San Francisco: This included not only major houses such as ACT, SF Ballet, SF Opera, SF Orchestra, but also, smaller/ethnic companies of Asian-American & Pacific Islanders, African American.

In 1972, Jack met James Calvin Fonduex, who became his “Domestic Partner.” Living in separate apartments, Jack purchased a condominium at 290-B Red Rock Way, San Francisco. They registered their relationship with the “City and County of San Francisco in 1991, and with the state of California, witnessed by Kevin Shelley, Secretary of State on March 23, 2004. From 1972—1978, on and off, the two co-parented two of James’ nephews, Alexis Michael Fonduex, né Michael Hall adopted by James, and Michael’s younger brother, Harry Jacobus, III. From 1986—89 James worked with three Chinese youths (Wilson Chor Chan, Warren Chor Chan, and Chor Man Chan in a group home before burning-out. Their counselor and social worker approached Jack and James to become the youth’s guardians. The Group-Home’s owner—an Orthodox Priest—challenged the petition, citing Jack’s and James’ lifestyle. The Juvenile Court of San Francisco granted the “counselor’s and “social worker’s” petition. Both Jack and James on August 16, 1988 completed a 30-hour-training-program—Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting—from the City and County of San Francisco—Department of Social Services—to augment other parenting skills, which the two had already demonstrated with James’ nephews.

The couple loved travel, and children living with them presented an excellent opportunity for travel by car. By car the children only experienced San Francisco Bay Area points of interest and travel from San Francisco to Vancouver Canada and back to San Francisco via the coast high way. Jack and James, however, traveled by car in 40 of the contiguous United States and 3 provinces of Canada.

From 1978 thru 1996 Jack contributed to James’ pursuit of college degrees so that he could get better employment. On this account, James was able to work, study, and travel in China and Viet Nam intermittently.

The “Partners,” having watched their new home being built—November 1996 to April 7, 1997, they moved to 10425 Donner Avenue Stockton, California. Jack continued to work for Charles B. Farrow—driving to BART in Dublin, and commuting to San Francisco on a “flex” schedule, while James work (on and off) 6 months a year—1988-2010—in China and Viet Nam teaching English at all levels.

Jack visited friends in Hong Kong for a month: while there he and his hosts visited Bangkok and Rangoon Myanmar (Burma). The three stayed a week in each city. Jack returned home with a 3-inch binder of photos of which he was very proud.

In 1999, Jack joined the Stockton Choral, which was directed by Ted Cetto of the University of the Pacific “Head of the Vocal Department.” He sang “bass” with this group until about 2012.

Finally, 2006, James was successful in getting Jack to agree to visit China. They took a 19-day China-Viking Cruise to the People’s Republic of China visiting by bus, Shang Hai, Su Zhou, Wu Xi, Chang Zhou, Zhen Jiang, Nan Jing. From Nan Jing by ship up the Yang Tzu river stopping at historical sites—An Jing, Jiu Jiang, Wu Han, Jing Zhou, Yi Chang, passing through The Three Gorges and debarking at Chong Jing. From there, the tour group flew to Xi’an to view the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum and Terra Cotta Army. From Xi’an, another flight took them to Bei Jing to prepare for to return home. While in Bei Jing they visited the Great Wall at Ba Da Ling, the Summer Palace, Ming Tombs, and a variety of shopping trips prior to departing for a flight home in San Francisco.

The Stockton Economic Downturn of 2008 had a disastrous effect on Jack. One outcome of this event forced Jack to limit, and in some cases, discontinue his support and attendance of the performing arts. Another outcome of this diminishment compromised his health, which over time became a contributing factor to his poor health, and before long, to his demise.

Jack was predeceased by both parents (noted above), older brother, Jeffrey, and sister-in-law, Alice. He is survived by a younger brother—Douglas, two nephews—Newton and Kenton, a niece Sandra, and her two young sons.