David E Fang

Our beloved David Fang Eng-Seng reposed in the Lord on July 9, 2021. His parents, Reverend Charles Edward Fang and Chang Sun Hwa, immigrants to Malaysia from Fukien Province in southern China, were pastoring the Chinese Methodist Church when David was born in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of then Malaya, on June 15, 1941.  He was the youngest of eleven children. David attended the Methodist Boys School in Malaysia and went on to do his pre-university studies at the Anglo Chinese School in Singapore, eventually earning a Bachelor of Laws Honors degree at the prestigious University of Singapore in 1964.

He practiced law in Singapore for two decades with partners in his own law firm, going on to be appointed the Commissioner of Oaths in Singapore. He also lectured in commercial law at the former Nanyang University and on labor law in courses run by the National Trades Union Congress of Singapore. It is notable that he was also willing to serve clients who paid him much less, or nothing at all, including a Sikh client who with heartfelt gratitude gave him $10 after David managed to secure his acquittal in court, which speaks to David’s compassionate selflessness towards many clients of lesser means. Likewise, he served in various voluntary organizations such as St John’s Ambulance as their honorary treasurer, legal advisor to two food vendor hawker’s associations, committee member of community centers, a sports association, an anti-narcotics association, and the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship. All the while, he lent his baritone voice to the choir of Christ Methodist Church, Singapore.

It is in Christ Methodist Church that he married his sweetheart Clarice Swee Ling Shen in 1975.  They met in 1967 and often took many memorable road trips up and down Peninsular Malaysia. The couple welcomed their first-born, Shannon En-Ming, in 1976, and their daughter, Dawn En-Mae, two years later. Swee Ling and the children emigrated to Southern California in 1988 followed by David in 1990. They settled in Fontana. David worshipped at the Riverside Christian Alliance Church. He was an elder from 2006-2008 and from 2019-2021, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, went to Ensenada, Mexico on a mission trip, visiting various churches and sharing the Gospel. David’s emphasis on the importance and priority of prayer and healing left an indelible impression there.

David enjoyed playing the ukulele and guitar, often accompanying sing-alongs. He had a consummate knowledge of world history and current affairs. Funny and affable, he delighted in regaling his listeners with brainy facts and clever jokes. Playing with his only grandchild, five-year old Raegan, the apple of his eye, brought him much joy!

David was preceded in death by his brothers Harry, Enoch, sisters Dorothy, Lucy, Lily, Ruth, and Elsie. He is survived by his loving wife Clarice Swee Ling Fang, son Shannon, daughter-in- law Edina Marie, granddaughter Raegan Juniper, daughter Dawn (aka Mother Paraskeva), brother Dr. James Fang in Singapore, and a large extended family. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. We thank God that David lived a faith-filled life in the Lord. Glory to God!

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