Lem Kong “Fred” Soo Hoo

    Lem Kong “Fred” Soo Hoo died Oct. 7, 2009 in Phoenix at the age of 86. A longtime prominent businessman in Winslow, Fred (Freddy to his many friends and acquaintances) was born Jan. 17, 1923, in Sin Lau village, Hoiping, China. He immigrated to the United States in 1931, staying with relatives in California.
   Proud of his adopted country, he fought in the U.S. Army during World War II. He received commendations and honors for his brave actions as a mortar gunner fighting for the 331st and 355th Infantry Regiments (89th Infantry Division) in Germany, Italy, Austria and France.
   Naturalized in 1944, during his stay in the Army, he went back to China in 1946 to marry Yok Lin (Linda) Woo. They moved to Winslow where they helped run a grocery store started by Linda’s father, Tong Wo (Sam) Woo, and developed and ran other businesses over the years.
   Freddy always believed in the power of education and worked fervently to ensure his children’s college educations. He was very proud of his children’s successes.
   He was preceded in death by his father, Quin Soo Hoo, and mother, Shee Fong. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Linda; three sons Spencer (Jan), Randy (Peggy) and Mark (Cindy) Soo Hoo; daughter Kim SooHoo Vann (Peter); seven grandchildren Audrey, Cheryl, Nicholas, Christina, Hayley, Carrie and Christopher; and one great-grandchild Joshua.
   Services and interment will be held at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. A funeral will be held at Old North Church at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, with a visitation from 5-9 p.m. on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to your favorite charity. His extended family and his many friends will remember Freddy for his energetic spirit and steadfast determination.