Jon Ronald Hong, 59, was born on June 17, 1950 in Fargo ND to Percy and Mildred (Miller) Hong. He attended schools in Fargo and NDSD, graduating from NDSD in 1969. He then attended and graduated from Gallaudet University in 1977 and was a member and one of the presidents of Theta NU Tau (ONT) Fraternity. On April 15, 1978, he married his college sweetheart, Brenda Fairfax and they soon moved to Big Spring, TX. Brenda worked at the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf for a brief period and Jon worked as the supply clerk at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital for almost 28 years. Brenda was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and passed away on May 18, 1991. Jon continued living and working in Big Spring until his unexpected death from a heart attack on February 16, 2010 in his home.
Jon loved the outdoors so spending many summers at Lake Eunice in Minnesota with his family fitted him well. Everyone who knew him as a young boy remembers him regularly looking for turtles at the lake’s “turtle place.”
All living creatures were candidates to become Jon’s pets. In our home, we had sea horses, iguanas, chameleons, baby alligators, guinea pigs, hamsters and many others. We remember him sneaking a kitten into his Gallaudet dorm room, where he kept it until he could bring it home to Fargo.
Friends and family enjoyed Jon’s wit and his love for practical jokes. He loved staying in contact with family and friends around the country via email, cell phone/pager texting, and video phone. We miss his daily emails, telling us about his day or sharing a joke or funny story.
Memorial services were held at the Big Spring VA chapel on Tue, Feb 23, and on Fri, Feb 26, at the Hillcrest Baptist Church where Jon was a faithful member. We have been comforted with love and sympathy from his VA friends, his long-time landlord, his house repairman, and his pastor and church family.
Jon was a quiet, gentle, loving, and respectful man with ready smile for everyone. Our hearts ache with the loss of our dear brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend, but know that he is with his wife, sister- Janet, twin sisters-Jane Ann and Joan Ann, parents, grandparents and many other family and friends who have gone before him. He is survived by his two sisters, Cindy Clow and husband Allen of Lancaster, MN, and Barbara Hong Richardson and husband Mont of Woodland Hills, CA, as well as nieces and nephews, uncles and aunts, and many friends. Our lives have been enriched by knowing and loving Jon and he will be missed.