Memories of James Dao | Ever Loved

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In memory of

James Dao

Henderson, NV, USA

May 1, 1937 - March 21, 2020

May 1, 1937 - Mar 21, 2020

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Ronda & Carl Banik

Carl and I had the honer of meeting Jim and Karen through Jan and Jerry. I said to myself, "Wow these are amazing people!" Jim never seemed to get tired of my endless questions, I just found him and his life so incredible. I feel blessed that I got to meet this amazing man. Prayers and good thoughts to Karen and his family. God bless.

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Jeff Dao

Donna Dao-Willins

Mark Campbell

As some of you know, Jeff is one of my closest life-long friends. I introduced him to Jo-Anne and I had the honor of being his best man. Julie and I share the same anniversary date of October 12 with Jeff & Jo-Anne. None of this would have happened had I not applied for a marketing communications position at CIC many years ago. I was surprised when James reached out to me and asked me to come in for an interview; this despite my not having much experience in technology. But he took a chance on me and on day one I met Jeff. And the rest, as they say, is history. I admire James greatly for his passionate zest for life, tenacity and grit, and dedication to the products he and his colleagues developed to a improve and extend life. In reflecting on the times we spent time together at CIC and socially, I fondly remember his sense of humor and his smile. I'm so glad to have known him and to be a part of the Dao family.

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Jeff Dao

Jocelyn (Norskog) Brent

We're deeply saddened by this news yet we're grateful for so many good memories with Jim, in Vancouver when the boys were little, Montana and Henderson over the years- and more. What a curious, optimistic, engaged, committed - inspiring- man. Also, what a sweet smile! We're so happy our paths crossed. Our love goes out to Karen and all of you.

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

Rose Tan

I offer my most sincere condolences to Karen and the entire Dao family. I met James in 1959 when my future husband and Tom were room mates in Berkeley. We met often and enjoyed many social events together. James was a kind and helpful guy with a great sense of humor. He will be very much missed by all who knew him.
Rose Tan

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

Debbie Dao

Comments:

Debbie Dao

Thanks for sharing with us! Dad was an amazing human being. Thanks for sharing with us! Dad was an amazing human being. Thanks for sharing with us! Dad was an amazing human... Read more

Bob Boucher

I did not know James Dao very well but, did get to go to the movies one afternoon with he and his grandchildren. We all had a wonderful time.
My condolences to the Dao Family and Friends.
Bob Boucher
Española, NM

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

Debbie Dao

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Kathleen Donson Soots

My condolences to the Dao family. May your happiest memories carry you through this difficult time.
Kathleen Donson Soots
Alameda, Ca.

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

Donna Dao-Willins

2020

Dad with Mutti and Uncle Tom and Auntie Betty celebrating Chinese New Year

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Jeff Dao

Debbie Dao

Comments:

Jeff Dao

Donna, thanks again for hosting the most recent Chinese New Year celebration! Donna, thanks again for hosting the most recent Chinese New Year celebration! Donna, thanks again for hosting the most recent Chinese... Read more

Debbie Dao

You pulled together an amazingly beautiful Chinese New Year for our father! You pulled together an amazingly beautiful Chinese New Year for our father! You pulled together an amazingly beautiful Chinese ... Read more

Scott Allan

There are not many people who have had a bigger impact on my life than Uncle James.

It started for me at an early age. Uncle James would stop over in Palm Springs after returning from business trips to the far east. With a new Asian robe acquired on this trip, he would convince my elementary school friends that he was the Chinese equivalent of a Samurai. I’m certain my friends would go home and complain about not having a Chinese uncle in the family. At a time when the world was less inclusive, Uncle James made being Chinese both fun and cool. Uncle James, and the rest of the Dao’s, made me proud of my heritage from an early age.

And then there was college. Over the years, people have asked me how I selected Cal and engineering for post high school studies. I let them know that I was brainwashed by two uncles! The truth is more about role models. Uncle James was very much a role model in terms of education and the type of work I wanted to do. So I chose Cal to follow in his footsteps as best I could.

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work more closely with Uncle James. During this time, I learned the most valuable lesson of business. I learned that there are no short cuts. I learned that leadership is about hard work, disappointment and endless frustration, and that is on a good day! I also learned what leadership looks like when most critical - during the toughest times. You have to be strong, lead and not quit. From Uncle James, I learned to be a better leader.

And when my first marriage ended during the dot-com bust, Uncle James and family were there to provide shelter while I regrouped as a single father and in my career. I’ve always had fond memories of the Hillsborough house from childhood and now it will forever be a place of renewal and fresh starts for me. In the bigger picture, I learned what it means to have a larger family standing in your corner.

While Uncle James was one of the busiest and hardest working people I have ever met, he could still really be present with family. He truly cherished his children, his grandchildren, his brothers and sisters, and his larger family. He brought laughter and joy to these gatherings. He could also stop at any moment and appreciate the beauty of a bird’s song or a tree (even if blocking my next golf shot). From Uncle James I saw the importance of being connected to family and appreciating the small things that make life beautiful.

I’m very proud to have had Uncle James in my life. I’m eternally grateful for his time, words of wisdom, generosity, and friendship. You are loved and appreciated Uncle James!

-Scott

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

Jocelyn (Norskog) Brent

Debbie Dao

Comments:

Jeff Dao

Scott, thanks for sharing. My father was very proud of you (as are the rest of us) and I know he enjoyed ... Read more Scott, thanks for sharing. My father was very proud of you (as are the rest of us) and I know he enjoyed the opportunity to work... Read more Scott, thanks for sharing. My father was very proud... Read more

Martha Wong

Dear Dao Family members,
I only recently (4 years ago) met James Dao when his brother John contacted Cancer of the esophagus. James was faithful in visiting John and shared his most recent endeavors to combat cancer. His reconnection to John was so very important to John’s treatment and recovery. James encouraged John to go through with the dangerous life threading surgery and gave him the courage to do so! This saved John’s life!

I was so happy to visit and meet the marvelous Dao family at your Family reunion! Having know Tom and his wife when they lived in Houston, it was fun to reconnect with them and to meet the other accomplished Daos!

On one occasion when James visited John after his recovery, the two Dao brothers drove all over Houston, trying to find Apple pie. They wanted to relive such experiences of their team years. When they told me this story, I decided to make a peach pie from a recipe in the Southern Living magazine. Their recipes are very long and complicated, using ingredients I was not familiar with. Anyway, the pie was delicious, even if I say so. We had pie for dessert at my home and then I sent the remaining pie home with John and James. James was leaving the next morning and said they would not have time to eat it. I said have it for breakfast with your coffee! They did and James later told me, “ it was the first time in my life that I have had pie for breakfast,”. That was James, so proper even with his meals! Love him and will miss his optimism and happy ways!

My condolences to Karen, Jame’s family and all of the Daos. What a great legacy he has left!
martha Wong, Houston, Texas

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

Comments:

Jeff Dao

Martha, thank you for sharing this wonderful and representative story of my father! He did enjoy pie so much...something... Read more Martha, thank you for sharing this wonderful and representative story of my father! He did enjoy pie so much...something he passed... Read more Martha, thank you for sharing this wonderful and representative... Read more

Donna Dao-Willins

Dad shared with me the story of he and Uncle John’s pie seeking excursion. He thought of that day fondly... Read more Dad shared with me the story of he and Uncle John’s pie seeking excursion. He thought of that day fondly ❤️😎. . Dad shared with me the story of he and Uncle John’s... Read more

Scott Allan

1998, Bay Area, CA, USA

James and Scott golfing - a work related tournament from our CIC days. Uncle James always had the ability to let the ups and downs of the game pass. And he was always best dressed on the course!

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

Scott Allan

1998

James and Cayley Allan - always so great with the next generation. Cayley and Ryan already miss him dearly.

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

Jeff Dao

2007, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Excursion with granddaughters Natalie and Jessica

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

2007, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

Game Day at Cal

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Donna Dao-Willins

Bob Boucher

Jeff Dao

2007, Hillsborough, CA, USA

James with granddaughter Jessica and his 2nd eldest child Debbie

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

2008, San Francisco, CA, USA

James and his eldest child, Donna

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

2008, San Francisco, CA, USA

Good times with Brother Tom

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Donna Dao-Willins

Rebecca Cornia

Uncle James was such a kind hearted and uplifting person! I remember one incident that summed up his personality for me. The extended family was taking a train to visit the San Diego Zoo in the 1970s. Jeff was just a baby and, as babies do, made a mess of his outfit. While his mom dealt with him, Uncle James took the soiled clothes to the restroom and washed them out.

I'm not sure why, but the atmosphere in the train car was a little tense. Maybe because we were the only non-Caucasians traveling or because there were so many of us and kids can be noisy. At any rate, people were staring at Uncle James as he walked back to his seat. He smiled and said, "Nothing to worry about - we're just your typical Chinese laundry" Everyone laughed and the tension disappeared.

That was the first time I saw humor used to calm down a situation. He was so confident and handled everything so gracefully. 50 years later, that incident still has a lot of meaning for me. Such a talented, ambitious, but ultimately humble person.

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

Comments:

Jeff Dao

Hi, Becky. Thanks for sharing this precious story. Thanks for clarifying that I was just a baby when I soiled... Read more Hi, Becky. Thanks for sharing this precious story. Thanks for clarifying that I was just a baby when I soiled myself! Given the... Read more Hi, Becky. Thanks for sharing this precious story. ... Read more

Donna Dao-Willins

Love this memory. Thank you for sharing it with us Becky. ❤️ Love this memory. Thank you for sharing it with us Becky. ❤️ Love this memory. Thank you for sharing it with us... Read more

Jeff Dao

2004, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

Dad and I visit Nanjing, his home town

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Donna Dao-Willins

Bob Boucher

Jeff Dao

2004, Great Wall of China

James at the Great Wall

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Donna Dao-Willins

Bob Boucher

Jeff Dao

2011, Sausalito, CA, USA

One of Dad's favorite destinations...Sausalito, CA

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Donna Dao-Willins

Bob Boucher

Jeff Dao

2011, SF Ferry

One of the things Dad liked to do...take the ferry from SF

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

2014, Hillsborough, CA, USA

James, Karen, and the kids (Jeffrey, Donna, Debbie, Minna)

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Donna Dao-Willins

Dee Walton

Jeff Dao

2014, San Ramon, CA

James, Karen and their grandchildren

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

2007, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA, USA

James was always popular with the kids

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Donna Dao-Willins

Jeff Dao

2009, Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, CA, USA

On top of the world

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Donna Dao-Willins

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