James Tsenghu Tsao

Clinton

James Tsenghu Tsao, 86, of Clinton, passed away Thursday, January 26th at Sampson Regional Medical Center. James was born in Nanking, China. During WW II, he joined the army at the age of 15 to fight the Japanese, and the communist takeover of China.  He proceeded to have a long and illustrious military career, rising to the rank of full colonel in the Chinese Nationalist Army in Taiwan. After he retired from the army, James and his family moved to the United States and proudly became citizens of their new country. He obtained his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Subsequently, he worked for the Pennsylvania state government and AT&T before settling in as an economist for the US International Trade Commission in Washington DC. In 1999, after 20 years of civil service, he retired from the federal government. During his second retirement James taught part time at local universities and provided private consultation work. In 2014, James and his wife moved to Clinton, NC.

James is preceded in death by his parents Yu Shan and Wan Tsao, two brothers Tseng Pao and Tseng Chu Tsao, and one sister Tseng Lan Tsao. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elly Tsao. He is also survived by two sons: Henry Tsao, M.D. and wife Joan Gerencser Tsao of Clinton, and Hensin Tsao M.D. and wife Sandy Urioste Tsao, M.D. of Boston, MA, and four grandchildren: Aubrey Julie Tsao, Elizabeth Joanne Tsao, Sebastian James Tsao and Hunter Johnson Tsao.

The family would like to thank the physicians and staff of Sampson Regional Medical Center for the wonderful care and comfort that they provided for James during his hospitalization. The family would also like to thank everyone near and far for the special prayers that they have been offering during this difficult time.

Visitation will be from 10am - 11am Saturday, January 28th, at Royal Hall Funeral Home followed by an 11:30am funeral service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Clinton with Rev. Daniel Cenci officiating. Burial will follow in the Clinton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sampson Regional Medical Center, Attn: Amber Cava, 607 Beaman St., Clinton, NC 28328; or to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation by visiting www.pdf.org. 

Royal-Hall is honored to serve the Tsao Family.