Thomas Q. Kong Sr.; Longtime Cardiologist

Dr. Thomas Q. Kong Sr., a Ventura cardiologist for 34 years, died Thursday, at age 66, after a long battle with leukemia.

Kong’s medical skills could have taken him anywhere in the world, but he chose to settle and raise a family in Ventura because of its mild climate and small-town feel, said Kong’s son, Thomas Q. Kong Jr., 35, who followed his father’s path and became a cardiologist.

Although Kong was a compassionate physician to more than 10,000 patients during his career, his after-hours love was tennis, the younger Kong said.

“If it didn’t involve a tennis racket, he didn’t want it. He loved to be active. He loved to ski anywhere--Mammoth, Utah, Colorado,” the son said.

Kong was raised in Santa Barbara but moved to Ventura with his wife, Pattie, after serving his medical residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York. Kong was founding partner of the Ventura Cardiology Consultants and served on the staffs of Community Memorial Hospital for 34 years and Ventura County Medical Center for 25 years.

Besides his wife and eldest son, Kong is survived by three other sons: Michael Blaise Kong and Stephen Walter Kong, both of Chicago, and Peter Kenneth Kong of San Francisco.

Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and a Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ventura. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. Thomas Q. Kong Memorial Fund, Community Memorial Hospital, 147 N. Brent St., Ventura.