Violet Tong

Violet Tong, age 82, of Houston, Texas, passed away February 7, 2022. She was born on February 23, 1939 to You Quin Gee and Jamey Nuey. She grew up in the inner city of Houston. She lived and worked at her family’s grocery store, Bow Quong & Co., located off Lyons Avenue in Houston’s Fifth Ward. At an early age, Violet assumed responsibilities of managing the store’s inventory, stocking shelves, and working the register. These skills proved to be invaluable later in life when she helped establish other family businesses.

Violet was a well-rounded student who participated in extra-curricular activities such as archery in high school. After graduating from Stephen F. Austin High School, she started her college education at Texas State College for Women, now known as Texas Woman’s University, in Denton, Texas. She transferred to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree and then worked as a medical technologist in the Texas Medical Center.

Violet met Antonio Tong, her soulmate, on a blind date arranged by classmates in December of 1963. They were married on August 29, 1965 at the University of Houston Chapel where Antonio was an engineering student at that time. In 1968, they bought their first home in the rural area of Northeast Houston. They were blessed with two sons, Nolan and Garland. She had a soft heart for animals especially for stray cats and dogs that would frequently wander on their property. With seven acres of land, she raised peacocks, chickens, ducks, geese, doves, rabbits, and goats. She was also an avid gardener who grew organic produce such as bitter melon, winter melon, watercress, and water spinach for her family to enjoy. She also enjoyed sewing and cooking. She frequently experimented with different recipes and added her own creative flair to them. She was known for her jello cheesecake that she made for potluck dinners. One of the traditions she adopted from her upbringing and continued for many years was cooking black-eyed peas and ham hocks to eat on New Year’s Day for good luck. Bonding with family through games of Mah Jong was something she always looked forward to. Growing up, she did not travel so she made up for it in her young adult years after marriage. All the travels the family made over the years were planned with a purpose to reconnect with old friends and family all over the world. She cherished every relationship she developed and would frequently think back to those memories.

After marriage, she and her husband saved money to sponsor her in-laws to immigrate to America. Violet left her professional career in 1972 and moved to Galveston, Texas to help establish a family business that would provide a source of livelihood for them. While in Venezuela, her in-laws worked in the restaurant industry so the idea to open a restaurant was the most logical plan. That is how Happy Buddha Restaurant came into existence and made history as the first Chinese restaurant on Galveston Island in the fall of 1972. As business flourished, the family branched out into other business ventures. In 1975, Tong’s Import, a gift shop selling Chinese souvenirs and décor, off 44th Street and Seawall Boulevard was established. Violet and her sister-in-law ran this business for about three years before it was converted to a restaurant which the original Happy Buddha Restaurant relocated to. The business continued to thrive, affording them the opportunity to open another location in Beaumont, Texas and to relocate the Galveston restaurant to a prime location off 61st street where it still operates today, under her nephew-in-law’s management. In 1993, Violet and her family moved to Beaumont, Texas to manage that restaurant up until they retired in 2004. During her time in Beaumont, Violet met so many people through the restaurant. She was known and loved for her kind and gentle nature. Although soft spoken, she always found ways to connect with people. She talked to everyone and showed interest in their lives as if they were family. Violet and her husband built a respectable reputation for themselves.

After retirement, she returned to her first home to live a calm and peaceful life, surrounded by nature. She spent the remaining golden years enjoying time with her soulmate and beloved grandchildren. Violet’s pride and joy were her grandchildren, Ignatius, Xavier Joseph, Landon, and Ryan. Violet frequently recounted the time she spent with her grandchildren when they were babies as the most pleasurable time of her life. While caring for them, she formed an endearing relationship that her grandchildren will forever keep in their hearts. Violet lived a humble, yet fulfilling and honorable life. She dedicated her life to putting family first. Relationships with family and friends is what she valued most. She will be dearly missed by all the lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents, You Quin Gee and Jamey Nuey and sister, Daisy Greer. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Antonio Tong; two sons and their spouses, Nolan (Carolina) Tong and Garland (Marie) Tong; four grandchildren, Ignatius, Xavier Joseph, Landon, and Ryan; siblings, Jims Gee (older brother) and Harris Gee (younger brother) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A prayer service will be held Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and then a visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. with a committal to follow. All services will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home and Cemetery located at 21620 Gulf Freeway in Webster, Texas.