Tongshun Xu

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Tongshun Xu, who departed this life on April 12, 2025, in Chesterfield, Missouri, after a brave five-month battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). He fought his illness courageously and optimistically until his last breath. He was born on April 3, 1938, in Longyou, China, and throughout his life, he touched the hearts of many with his warmth, dedication, and unwavering love for his family and community.

Tongshun's professional journey was marked by his enduring commitment to education. He dedicated his career to teaching physics, a vocation he approached with a gardener's touch, nurturing countless students who remember him fondly for his loving nature. It was said that in China, a teacher is viewed as a gardener, symbolic of the love and care provided to students. Tongshun embodied this philosophy wholeheartedly, reveling in the success and flourishing of his students. His classroom was not just a place of learning; it was a sanctuary of encouragement and support. In addition to the positive impact he had on his students, he also served as a valuable mentor to his younger colleagues. He treated his colleagues as if they were dear friends, with care and love and tenderness. He truly cared about their well-being and success.

As a devoted husband and father, Tongshun cherished his family deeply. He lived through challenging times in China, often facing the harsh realities of poverty. Yet, he worked tirelessly to provide for his two beloved children, Xiumin and Longbin. With his strong work ethic, he carried heavy sacks of peaches home, a beloved fruit for his children, and delighted them with special seafood delicacies like crab, even though they lived far from the sea. His simple gestures were filled with love, such as treating them to ice cream treats on his bicycle despite their modest means.

His memories are punctuated with acts of devotion; when his daughter suffered from childhood asthma, he traveled great distances to ensure she received medical care, creating moments of joy amidst struggle—like the day he took her to see old movie props that sparkled in her eyes. Even in their scarcity, he would manage to gather a little money for comic books, igniting the imaginations of his children and creating lasting memories.

Tongshun was not only a father but also a man of many passions. He found joy in playing the flute and the 'erhu,' a beautiful Chinese violin. The Chinese sword gifted to him by his daughter brought him happiness as he playfully swung it around, embodying the vibrant spirit he carried throughout his life.

His own journey was shaped by countless sacrifices. As a young man he embodied filial piety, working to support his parents and younger siblings, endlessly self-sacrificing and never asking for anything in return. Later, as a young husband and father, he single-handedly dug out vegetables stored underground during the cold winters to sustain his family, which later contributed to his health challenges. However, through all hardships, his heart remained boundless—overflowing with love for his wife, Cuilan Jia, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage. Their love and mutual affection for one another grew over the years, and was perhaps the strongest in the time before her passing in 2024.

As we honor Tongshun, we reflect on a man who celebrated the achievements of his children wholeheartedly, often feeling greater joy than they themselves experienced. He carried with him a 'bucket' of love, from which he filled the hearts of those around him, and he found beauty in the smallest gestures of kindness from others, always expressing gratitude and appreciation in return.

He leaves behind a legacy filled with love, compassion, and an indelible impact on those fortunate enough to know him. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Xiumin and Sam Martin, and son, Longbin Xu, and his grandchildren, Xinxin Xu and Isaac Martin, who will continue to carry forward his spirit of generosity and dedication to the ones they love. He is also preceded in death by his beloved parents, Tianliang and Shigen Xu.

Tongshun Xu will be sorely missed, but his spirit, nurturing heart, and unwavering love will forever resonate in the lives he touched. As we bid farewell to a beloved father, grandfather, and educator, we celebrate a life rich in love and kindness, thankful for the precious time we shared with him.

To share a memory of Tongshun or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.