Obituary of James Kang Hong

Our hearts are broken by the loss of the greatest Man we will ever know. Dad (Jim, James L., Jimmy Hong, Grandpa) left this earth surrounded by his family on May 31st in Cranbrook, BC.

Dad was born in Gleichen, AB and grew up and lived in Cluny, AB for most of his life. He became a piece of the woven fabric of Cluny and Siksika Nation and was a friend to everyone he met. Dad graduated from Cluny Bow Valley School in 1946. He joined the Canadian army reserves in 1941 and rose to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant of the 22nd Field Battery, RCA where he served until 1955. He drove truck hauling grain, gravel and cattle until he went back to work for his father and eventually took over the business, Hong’s General Store. He married the love of his life, Monica Lawlor, in 1966 and went on to raise 4 kids in Cluny. Dad had so many friends and was involved in so much. The best parties were always at the Hong House with lots of friends, music, beer, smokes and laughter! Dad was a councillor and the mayor of Cluny from 1961 until 1995, Chief of the Cluny Volunteer Fire Department, a Wheatland County School trustee for 25 years, President and life member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 13 in Gleichen, Lions Club Member, Life Member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hillhurst, Life Member of the Bassano Elks Club, Member of the Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans, President of the Chinese Curling Club in Calgary, and the list goes on! One of Dad’s proudest moments was when he was initiated into the sacred society of the Brave Dogs with the Siksika Nation People in the 70’s. Monica passed away in 1985. He married Arlene Mills in 1988. After the closure of Hong’s Store in 1989, Dad continued to work as the Postmaster for the Cluny Post office where he loved to visit and catch up on everyone’s life.

Dad moved to Cranbrook in 2004 to be closer to his kids and grandkids. He built another amazing community of friends by joining the Lions Club, the Cranbrook Curling Club, and staying involved in the Legion. He spent countless hours with his grandkids caring for them and taxiing them around to sports and activities. He was so proud to be curling three times a week up right up until the end of season this year. He loved that he got to curl with his son Tom and his 2 grandsons Ronan and Logan.  He was asked just a few weeks ago what was most important to him, and his response was “just spending time with my grandkids”. Dad loved his family so much and he showed it everyday. Dad always knew what was going on in all his kids and grandkids lives.

Dad is survived by his loving children John (Tiffany), Brenna (Dennis), Meiling, and Tom (Shanda); and his grandkids Andrew, Shelby, Jaston, Gabby, Triston, Nellie, Oscar, Ronan, Lucy, Lilli, and Logan, his sister Kat Wall(Ben); his wife Arlene; numerous nieces and nephews and their families, and his favourite cat Benny. He is predeceased by his wife Monica, daughter Rhonda, parents Nellie and Louie, brothers and sisters Willie, Albert, Davie, Hank, Ed, Bertha, and May.

Dad wanted his family and friends to remember him by (in his own words) “Please don’t grieve for me! Just remember the fun times we had together. I had a good life doing the things I wanted to do. I still love curling fishing and trying to golf!”

There will be a celebration of life and a “bonspiel” party for all who knew Dad on July 6^th at 4:00pm at the Cranbrook Curling Club in Cranbrook, BC. Dad’s ashes will be buried with Mom, at his request, at the Ouelletteville Cemetery in Cluny at a later date. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Cranbrook Lions Club, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24 in Cranbrook, or the Cranbrook Curling Club in Dad’s memory.