1925
Wing
2005
Wing Gay Fong
August 27, 1925 — May 22, 2005
This distinguished Nevadan, recognized for his philanthropic generosity and business acumen, was born in Canton, China. Mr. Fong is the owner director of Nevada State Bank, a founder organizer and director of Frontier Fidelity Savings and Loan Association and was tending rice fields on the back of a water buffalo at age 7. Having lost his father early, the boy was left with his mother and two sisters. Concerned for his future, his mother sent her only son to the United States. Arriving alone, Wing went to live with his two uncles in Las Vegas where he entered third grade. The only Asian child in this school, he spoke no English and used Chinese and English dictionaries before he could begin to translate his lessons.
After school and during vacations, he washed dishes and learned the restaurant business from his uncles who never turned away a gamber with empty pockets. The courtesy,honesty and humane customer relations learned as a child have been the hallmark of his business dealings.
Graduating from Las Vegas High school in 1946, Wing went on to earn a degree in business from Woodbury College in Califronia where he met Lilly Ong Hing. They were married immediately after graduation in 1950. Fong worked for several Las Vegas companies before opening a grocery store where he often packed free food for people who had gambled away their money. Some of his many business projects were the purchase of the First National bank building, developing Fong's Garden Complex, Arden Jewelers Building, Beverly Manor Convalescent Hospital, Bertha's Home Furnishing,Imperial Plaza, Sprint Nevada Headquarters, South Shores Center and the Loma Vista Center.
In 1968 Wing Gay Fong chaired the committee which raised $750,000 for the UNLV Center for the Performing Arts. In 1992,the Wing and Lilly Fong Elementary School was named in their honor. The geosciences building at UNLV is named for Lilly Fong, a UNLV Regent who was known for her own accomplishments. The Fong family has donated countless funds to UNLV for scholarships and various projects.
Wing Fong has served a President of the Merchants Bureau and Director of the Greater Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, National Conference of Christians and Jews,Las Vegas Rotary Club, Civilian Military Council, First Presbyterian Church of Las Vegas and St. Jude's Children's Home in Boulder City.
Wing was preceded in death by his wife Lilly.
He is survived by his son, Kenneth;daughter, Susan and two Grandchildren
The family suggests donations to the Lilly Fong Language Fund
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
After school and during vacations, he washed dishes and learned the restaurant business from his uncles who never turned away a gamber with empty pockets. The courtesy,honesty and humane customer relations learned as a child have been the hallmark of his business dealings.
Graduating from Las Vegas High school in 1946, Wing went on to earn a degree in business from Woodbury College in Califronia where he met Lilly Ong Hing. They were married immediately after graduation in 1950. Fong worked for several Las Vegas companies before opening a grocery store where he often packed free food for people who had gambled away their money. Some of his many business projects were the purchase of the First National bank building, developing Fong's Garden Complex, Arden Jewelers Building, Beverly Manor Convalescent Hospital, Bertha's Home Furnishing,Imperial Plaza, Sprint Nevada Headquarters, South Shores Center and the Loma Vista Center.
In 1968 Wing Gay Fong chaired the committee which raised $750,000 for the UNLV Center for the Performing Arts. In 1992,the Wing and Lilly Fong Elementary School was named in their honor. The geosciences building at UNLV is named for Lilly Fong, a UNLV Regent who was known for her own accomplishments. The Fong family has donated countless funds to UNLV for scholarships and various projects.
Wing Fong has served a President of the Merchants Bureau and Director of the Greater Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, National Conference of Christians and Jews,Las Vegas Rotary Club, Civilian Military Council, First Presbyterian Church of Las Vegas and St. Jude's Children's Home in Boulder City.
Wing was preceded in death by his wife Lilly.
He is survived by his son, Kenneth;daughter, Susan and two Grandchildren
The family suggests donations to the Lilly Fong Language Fund
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
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