TANG, Edmund

Edmund Tang, Mayor Emeritus of Peoria, passed away Monday, June 30, 2003. He was born in Phoenix, AZ on Dec. 24, 1928. Edmund is survived by his wife of 46 years Wanda; five children Susan (Bob) Lee, Sharon Tang, Bruce Tang, Sandra (Mike) Pell, and Roland (Rhonda) Tang; five grandchildren, Michael and Tara Lee, Samantha, Noah, and Lily Pell. Edmund graduated from Peoria High school in 1946. He continued his education at Phoenix College and UC Berkeley, and in 1951 graduated from the University of AZ. Edmund served in the Korean War. He managed the family store, Sun Maid Grocery from 1953 until retiring in 1990's. He was a member of the AZ Grocers Assn. He served on the board of the Retail Grocers Assn of AZ and was recognized by the National Grocers Assn. with its 'Spirit of America' award. He first ran for the Peoria Town Council in 1955. He served on the City Council for 30 years, until his retirement in 1985, when a formal resolution was passed declaring him 'Mayor Emeritus of Peoria'. Proud to serve and help the people of Peoria, Edmund was influential in the planning and adoption of town/city ordinances and development of public works. He helped establish the Peoria Community Center, a new city hall and the Peoria Sports Complex. He served 3 terms as Vice-Mayor and another 3 terms as Mayor. He was an active leader in many Chinese organizations such as the Ong Ko Met Assn, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and the Chinese Professional Assn of AZ. An active member of American Legion Thomas Tang Post #50, he served 2 terms as Commander. A lifetime member of Peoria's Chamber of Commerce, he served 2 terms as Pres. Also a lifetime member of the Peoria Kiwanis Club, he served as Pres. in 1964 and was later selected as the SW District Kiwanis Lt. Gov. He had served on the ASU Diversity Committee since 1991. He was a charter member of the Peoria Educational Enrichment Foundation. Recently, he was inducted into both Phoenix College Alumni Assn's Hall of Fame and Peoria High School's Hall of Honor. While he and Wanda enjoyed their many travels around the world, he always returned home to Peoria where he 'valued the caring friends and the city's sense of community.' Visitation will be 5 to 8 pm Sun at A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuaries, 710 W. Bethany Home Rd. Services held at 10 am Mon. at Shadow Rock Congregational Church, 12861 North 8th Ave. Interment in Greenwood Memory Lawn Mausoleum, 2300 W. Van Buren St. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Peoria High Noon Kiwanis c/o Tom Theobald 9960 N 90th Lane Peoria, AZ 85345 or American Legion Thomas Tang Post #50 4341 W. Orchid Lane, Glendale, AZ 85302 . Published in the Arizona Republic from 7/3/2003 - 7/5/2003.