Reginald Chung

On Thursday, November 3, 2022, Mr. William Reginald Chung (AKA Reggie, Reg, Daddy, Moon, Gung Gung, and Uncle), 91, of Tifton, departed this life into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior. Reginald passed away peacefully at Tift Regional Medical Center as he was surrounded by his loving family and a dozen hands laid on him with prayers of thanks and praise, a true testimony of the life he lived and the God he served.

Reginald was born January 19, 1931, in Mandeville, Jamaica, to the late Jackson Fook Siew Chung and Mildred Chin Chung. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Arthur Chung, Joyce Chang and Harry Chung, and his son, Zane Chung.

Reginald was a faithful servant in ministry. He was a member and elder of First Presbyterian Church of Tifton, member of the church choir, and lay pastor with Flint River Presbytery. He devoted much of his heart to ministry, whether through structured time as with senior residents at Cypress Pond Senior Center or individually through heartfelt notes to friends and loved ones. He taught himself to play the harmonica and incorporated his talent in ministry as well as always blessed a family member or friend with a birthday song. Reginald always had time for others, offering a caring and listening ear, advising from a fair and diplomatic perspective, telling stories from his incredible life, telling jokes with light-hearted humor, playing a competitive table game, praying with diligence and obedience, or any combination of these pastimes.  He never met a stranger. He spoke to everyone he came across, and he had a way of making every person feel special.

Reginald’s home was an open haven for anyone needing a place to stay or anyone wanting to visit. Any guest in the Chung home was treated to a genuine hospitable stay as he ensured his guests’ comfort, including a full stomach. Friends and family can recall countless meals together that could have easily consisted of his very own Jamaican Hot Peppered Shrimp, submarine sandwiches, homemade apple pie or Tia Maria ice cream. At the very least, it was common for him to share some of his preferred treats like a Stallion Pizza from the Lamplighter Pub, Jamaican beef patties, or one of his favorite meals prepared by his wife LaVonne. Meals were typically garnished with scotch bonnet pepper likely propagated from his own garden. No one walked away feeling hungry, thirsty, or unwelcome in Reggie’s presence.

Reginald was a proud “Ramblin’ Wreck” graduate of Georgia Tech, receiving his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1955.  He was a TKE Fraternity brother and served as president. Reginald retired from the GA Department of Transportation in 1987 after 34 years of dedicated service.  Often referred to as a perfectionist and genius, he took great pride in his work, operating with impeccable work ethic and paying extra attention to detail. He always took time during his life to study and appreciate a sound structure or intricate bridge design. It’s no wonder that he continued his strategic design skills through game inventions, receiving the Parents’ Choice Award and one of top 5 MENSA “Best New Mind Games” in 1994 for his board game invention “Chung Toi”. He always nurtured his mind with a multitude of readings and puzzles, evidenced by his sharp mind and quick wit. He was an avid walker, loved going to the gym, and paid special attention to every detail of his self-care. Reginald took impeccable care of himself from spirit to mind to body, likely in the ultimate effort to always be at his very best for everyone else in his life, because everyone else always came first, every time without exception, right up to his passing.

Of his greatest accomplishments, Reginald was the proudest of his family and the amazing legacy he leaves behind. His best characteristics can be seen shining in the hearts of each and every loved one. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, LaVonne Simonson Chung; his two sons and daughters-in-law, Zack and Layne Chung of Tifton and Ken and Marty Chung of Columbus; his daughters and sons-in-law, Zoe Chung of Tifton, Zena and Gerry Born of Statenville, Kym and Brooks McCarty of Savannah; his daughter-in-law, Whitney (Zane) Chung of Tifton; his 12 grandchildren and spouses, Jane’t (Matt) Ensley, Colby (Amanda) Chung, Kristen (Reed) Hall, Joy (Marc) Shannon, Dolan (Taylor) Mitchell, Chance Chung, Chandler Chung, Kendall McCarty, Kathryn McCarty, Bruce Born,  Hayden Chung and Branden Chung; and his 9 great grandchildren: Cameron, Kaiya, Grayson, Eason, Hayes, Branynn, Banks, Lily Kate, and Jes. Reginald also leaves behind a half-brother and sister-in-law Charlie Tai Ying (Angela Liu) Cheung and numerous nephews and nieces, many of whom came from as far as Wisconsin and Jamaica and spent years under the love and care of Reginald and LaVonne, another testament of Reginald’s unwavering devotion to family. To many, Reginald Chung was one of the greatest men anyone had the pleasure and blessing to know. He was a highly respected, adored, and loved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend who will be missed beyond measure.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Abide Home Care Staff, especially dear friend Angela Hurley, for their excellent care, love, and support over the last 2 years.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 2:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Tifton, officiated by Dr. Hugh Ward and eulogies by Ken Chung and Don Wauchope. A reception will follow in the church social hall to receive family and friends. All are welcome in this celebration of life. Reggie would not want anyone to leave hungry.

Arrangements have been provided by Albritton Funeral Directors of whom the family also wishes to sincerely thank for their care and compassion. Guests may sign the online register at www.albrittonfuneral.com. Charitable contributions can also be made to Samaritan’s Purse at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/.

*****

In the words of our dear Reginald Chung, please accept this prayer as a blessing he would bestow on each and every one of you. “May the Lord watch over me and thee while we’re absent one from the other. God bless you all real good.” Amen.