Mr. John Lum

John Lum passed away Sunday, April 28, 2019 at the age of 94 at his son’s home in Ferguson, Missouri. John was born in Elaine, Arkansas on January 24, 1925. Shortly after, his family moved to St. Louis, Missouri to start a laundry business. John was the first Chinese American to enroll in Clark Elementary School and to graduate from Soldan High School in 1943. He studied Aeronautical Engineering at Purdue University until drafted for military duty. He was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943, training as a B-29 bomber navigator and was discharged in 1945. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in 1950, the same year he married Helen Haw. They had six children, Barbara, Gary, Beverly, Philip, Joan, and Arthur. John Lum was a mechanical engineer with Shure Richardson and Gross Engineering, where he was the company’s vice president. He used his professional skills to benefit his community, serving on the city of Ferguson’s Plan Commission and as president of the Kiwanis Club. Some of his civic projects include beautifying the Kemper Fountain, January Wabash Park, and placing flags on Florissant Road to commemorate Independence Day. He founded and ran many of Ferguson’s athletic leagues and managed all of his children’s baseball, softball, and soccer teams. John and Helen were devoted to Immanuel United Church of Christ. He sang in the choir, led Bible study, joined many committees, consulted on engineering projects, and volunteered wherever needed. He was honored as Ferguson’s Citizen of the Year in 2002. A tree was planted in his name in Forestwood Park for his contributions to Ferguson’s youth sports. Many say they owe their love of sports and self-confidence to John’s gentle, patient coaching. John was preceded in death by his wife Helen, son Gary, and siblings Tak Jung, Bertha Walsh, and Mabel Mester. He is survived by his siblings, Rose Char, Helen Belz, Emmett Lum, Nancy O’Connor; and his children Barbara Lum, Beverly Lum, Philip, (Denora) Lum, their children Johnathan, Deborah and George; Joan, (Barton) Moy, their children Sela and Matthew; Arthur, (Beth) Lum, their children Joseph and James, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Visitation is Friday, May 3, from 5 pm-8 pm at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 221 Church St., Ferguson, Missouri, and on Saturday, 9:30 am-10:30 am. Funeral service will be Saturday, May 4, at 10:30 am. Burial follows at Valhalla Cemetery, 7600 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Louis. In lieu of flowers please donate to Immanuel UCC. www.valhallafunerals.net

Mr. John Lum

January 24, 1925 - April 28, 2019