James Yew-Chin Wong's Obituary
James Yew-Chin Wong passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones in the early hours of January 14, 2026. He grew up in Medan, Indonesia, the youngest child and only son of Bakri and Ani SuWongso. He immigrated to the United States in his early 20s for college, supporting himself through a variety of jobs—from fast food and janitorial work to night shifts at a local convenience store. These experiences shaped his belief that every job deserves full effort, no matter how small.
James’s strong work ethic served him well as he began work in Memphis, TN at Roadway Express as a Garage Manager in 1977. Dependable and disciplined, he was recognized for his exceptional leadership skills: guiding with integrity and always doing what was right and fair. Numerous accolades and promotions within the company were to follow, which included relocations to Grenada, MS; Atlanta, GA; Indianapolis, IN; and back again to Memphis, TN. His career at Roadway ultimately spanned 20 years, after which he was recruited by Frito Lay in 1997 to serve as the Regional Fleet Manager in Indianapolis, IN. After experiencing 11 Midwestern snowy winters, James was ready for retirement and a move to warmer climes. However, in 2008 the Dr Pepper-Snapple Group offered James a Regional Fleet Manager job package in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, that was too good to turn down. Retirement would just have to wait. In 2011 he petitioned to work remotely, allowing him to move back to Memphis, TN to be close to his daughter and her family. Finally, in 2017, James felt that the time was right to put away his work clothes and briefcase so that he could enjoy family and particularly his grandchildren, who have always been the center of his world.
Though proud of his career, he cherished family above all else. It is no exaggeration to say that everyone loved and respected him. He was lovingly referred to as “Papa” not only by his own two children but also by his nieces in Georgia and nephew in Texas along with their respective spouses and children because he obligingly served the role of a bonus dad to us all. He patiently (and sometimes not so patiently, depending on who was being taught) instructed 3 generations in the joys of outdoor adventure sports: waterskiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing, snow skiing, and snowboarding. There were numerous multi-generational, cross-country road trips with Papa as the fearless captain at the wheel, whether it was in the Suburban, the camper, or in more recent years the Tesla. Always down for fun and ‘good trouble’, it was because of Papa that us kids got to pick wild blackberries, catch lizards, shoot guns at empty Coke cans, and ride horses and a 3-wheeler through the pastures of Grenada, MS for several summers. Some of us lucky ones also got driving and road safety lessons with Papa, who was a master of anything auto-related after all his years of work in trucking. Thankfully his son Pete absorbed a great deal of this knowledge and is now passing down mechanic skills and know-how to his son, Jacob.
A true Renaissance man, James also had an ear for music and taught himself how to play the piano and violin. He was incredibly proud of his children’s musical accomplishments, with his son Pete playing violin and his daughter Lisa playing flute. Most recently, he delighted in practicing his violin skills so he could duet with his grandson Jacob on piano.
It would be remiss not to mention the 51 wonderful years of marriage with his beautiful bride, Jessie. She was his devoted and steadfast companion and wherever James was, she was there by his side supporting him- whether it was driving the speedboat with him in tow on skis,or sitting tandem with him on the back of his motorcycle winding through The Tail of the Dragon. Even well into his 70s he was still chasing the thrill of adventure on black diamond ski slopes as Jessie waited patiently for him in the lodge. He could not have experienced this incredibly rich life without her loving and dedicated presence.
James’s legacy spans continents and generations. His quiet strength, steady guidance, and love of adventure live on in the memories of road trips, mountain slopes, lake days, and favorite songs—classical pieces and oldies alike. He was a true legend who will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew him.
James is preceded in death by his father, Bakri SuWongso, and mother, Ani SuWongso, of Medan, Indonesia, and brother-in-law James Chow of Dallas, TX. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jessie, their son Pete (Sasha) Wong and grandchildren Vivian and Jacob; his daughter Lisa (Robert Landrigan) Wong and grandchildren Alex and Helena; sisters Linda Chow and Jane (Steve) Law; nephew Peter (Melissia) Chow, niece May-Lin Law (Joe Bateman), and niece Lee-Lin Law (David Paine) and great nephews and nieces Blake and Caden Chow, Harper and Callan Bateman, and Linden and Eli Paine.
The family will hold a private memorial service on February 7, 2026 at Grace Chinese Christian Church of Greater Memphis.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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