Charles Choo Way Ping (see below for notes about his name) was born on October 8, 1895 in Bakersfield, CA. He was the son of Choo Ly (1833-1908) and Wong Yuet Ngor, a.k.a. Wong Yet Gow (1879-1944). His father, Choo Ly, was a pioneer resident of Bakersfield and a prominent leader in the Chinese community, serving as “head man” or “mayor” of Old Chinatown from 1890-1905. When he was five years old, Charles survived a murder attempt perpetrated by a man who had a grudge against his father; the man's axe was deflected by Charles's queue.
For many years, Charles managed the Rex Hotel (1940-1951); in addition, he worked as the manager of the National Cigar Store. During World War II, he volunteered with the city Department of Civilian Defense and actively supported relief efforts in China. He was also very involved in the local Chinese community: he was a past president of the Bakersfield chapter of the Ying On Labor and Merchants Association and a board member of the Bakersfield Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.
He married Edith (Kay) Sibyl Lyon on February 5, 1938 in Vancouver, WA; it was necessary for them to marry out-of-state because of California’s law banning miscegenation. Together Charles and Edith enjoyed an active social life and traveled the world.
He died on September 29, 1963 and was survived by his wife Edith; two nephews, George and Daniel Kimm of Bakersfield; his niece, Eleanor Kimm of Ventura; and three grandnephews, Gregory, Gardner, and Glenn Kimm.
For many years, Charles managed the Rex Hotel (1940-1951); in addition, he worked as the manager of the National Cigar Store. During World War II, he volunteered with the city Department of Civilian Defense and actively supported relief efforts in China. He was also very involved in the local Chinese community: he was a past president of the Bakersfield chapter of the Ying On Labor and Merchants Association and a board member of the Bakersfield Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.
He married Edith (Kay) Sibyl Lyon on February 5, 1938 in Vancouver, WA; it was necessary for them to marry out-of-state because of California’s law banning miscegenation. Together Charles and Edith enjoyed an active social life and traveled the world.
He died on September 29, 1963 and was survived by his wife Edith; two nephews, George and Daniel Kimm of Bakersfield; his niece, Eleanor Kimm of Ventura; and three grandnephews, Gregory, Gardner, and Glenn Kimm.
Charles Choo Way Ping (see below for notes about his name) was born on October 8, 1895 in Bakersfield, CA. He was the son of Choo Ly (1833-1908) and Wong Yuet Ngor, a.k.a. Wong Yet Gow (1879-1944). His father, Choo Ly, was a pioneer resident of Bakersfield and a prominent leader in the Chinese community, serving as “head man” or “mayor” of Old Chinatown from 1890-1905. When he was five years old, Charles survived a murder attempt perpetrated by a man who had a grudge against his father; the man's axe was deflected by Charles's queue.
For many years, Charles managed the Rex Hotel (1940-1951); in addition, he worked as the manager of the National Cigar Store. During World War II, he volunteered with the city Department of Civilian Defense and actively supported relief efforts in China. He was also very involved in the local Chinese community: he was a past president of the Bakersfield chapter of the Ying On Labor and Merchants Association and a board member of the Bakersfield Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.
He married Edith (Kay) Sibyl Lyon on February 5, 1938 in Vancouver, WA; it was necessary for them to marry out-of-state because of California’s law banning miscegenation. Together Charles and Edith enjoyed an active social life and traveled the world.
He died on September 29, 1963 and was survived by his wife Edith; two nephews, George and Daniel Kimm of Bakersfield; his niece, Eleanor Kimm of Ventura; and three grandnephews, Gregory, Gardner, and Glenn Kimm.
For many years, Charles managed the Rex Hotel (1940-1951); in addition, he worked as the manager of the National Cigar Store. During World War II, he volunteered with the city Department of Civilian Defense and actively supported relief efforts in China. He was also very involved in the local Chinese community: he was a past president of the Bakersfield chapter of the Ying On Labor and Merchants Association and a board member of the Bakersfield Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.
He married Edith (Kay) Sibyl Lyon on February 5, 1938 in Vancouver, WA; it was necessary for them to marry out-of-state because of California’s law banning miscegenation. Together Charles and Edith enjoyed an active social life and traveled the world.
He died on September 29, 1963 and was survived by his wife Edith; two nephews, George and Daniel Kimm of Bakersfield; his niece, Eleanor Kimm of Ventura; and three grandnephews, Gregory, Gardner, and Glenn Kimm.
Inscription
His Chinese name, inscribed here on the right side of the marker, was Choo (family name) Way Ping (personal name). However, he used the second part of his personal name, Ping, as his American surname. The marker also contains the name of his ancestral village in China: Northern Village, Poonyue County (located in Guangdong Province),
Family Members
Siblings
