Kin Cheng

Kin Cheng, a 46-year Davis resident, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2007 at the age of 84. The third child of five children and the eldest son of Dr. Holt and Edna Cheng, Kin was born August 27, 1922, in Guangzhou China. He earned a Masters in Education from the University of Hong Kong and taught high school chemistry. It was through his mother, Edna, that he met his future wife Flora Ching. He married Flora on April 2, 1956 in Hong Kong and they recently celebrated their 51st anniversary. He was the proud father of three daughters and two grandsons. His eldest daughter, Christine was born in Hong Kong. The First Baptist Church in Boston sponsored Kin and his family was to move to the United States. They made a brief stop in Hawaii for the birth of their second daughter, Grace. In Hawaii, Kin worked for Dole pineapple factory to help support his wife and 2 daughters. This job did not last long as they soon moved to Davis, California. By 1961, Kin had secured a job with the University California Davis in the toxicology department. His third daughter Gloria was born shortly after. Around 1968, Kin transferred to the California Department of Food and Agriculture where he retired in 1990. At an early age, Kin built a reputation as a daredevil, athlete and musician. During college, he often entertained his friends by his athleticism with the bike. He played a variety of brass instruments, including the trumpet, trombone and tuba. He was a man of few words, simple pleasures, yet an ardent adventurer as evidenced by worldwide travels with Flora. Kin loved all things mechanical, electrical, technological and golf-related. His interests varied through the years. He was an amateur ham radio operator, car mechanic, photographer and then videographer. He was an early adopter of many technologies and the first to own a CPM computer (before DOS). At age 70, Kin became an avid golfer. Kin was also a long time member of the Poleline Road Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years. His family and friends will sorely miss kins quick wit and dry sense of humor.

Missing him dearly are his wife Flora; daughters: Grace Cheng and Gloria Purnell; grandsons: Coren Turne and Zachary Purnell; Glorias husband, Ron Purnell; Graces partner Alex Antipa; brother Homer Cheng, sister Gilda Li and all of his nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Daughter Christine preceded him in death. Services will be held April 27th at 10 a.m. at the Davis Cemetery, followed immediately after by a Celebration of Life service to celebrate Kins life at the Poleline Road Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made in Kin Chengs honor and sent to the Poleline Road Baptist Church.

---

---