Linda D. Tong

ARLINGTON -- Our beautiful Linda Darleen Davidson Tong, born to Barton W. Davidson Jr. and Beverly Mellon, June 21, 1958, passed from her earthly home to eternal glory on Sunday, July 26, 2015, after a long hard, courageous struggle with cancer. She was a great inspiration to all. Funeral: 11 a.m. Saturday at First Christian Church, 910 S. Collins, Arlington. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Linda resided in Texas for more than 50 years. She married David Terry Tong and they had two sons. Linda worked for the Arlington Independent School District as a teacher's assistant working with special needs children for 15 years. She volunteered 500 hours a year for many years before being hired by the school. She was celebrated by her school with a surprise luncheon and was awarded Teacher's Assistant of the Year 2006-2007. She loved her job, the children and the wonderful supportive teachers who became her good friends and extended family. She was a deacon at her church and served proudly on its board. Linda was a special person, a loyal friend to all and always had a smile on her face, no matter how difficult her adversity. She refused to let other people get her down. She belonged to the local genealogy society and spent many happy frustrating hours searching for those lost elusive ancestors and discussing her latest finds with her family and friends. She was an avid reader and enjoyed sharing books, comments and suggestions with anyone who would listen. She was preceded in death by her Dad; her precious son, Nicholas; and all her grandparents. Survivors: She is survived by her husband of 32 years, David Terry Tong; son, Christopher Tong; her mother, Beverly Mellon of Arlington; brothers, Barton Davidson of California, Jeff Davidson and his wife, Kandise, of Pantego; sister, Michelle Parlapiano of California; brother, Troy Davidson and wife, Mollie, of Utah; wonderful other mother, Dorene Huckfelt of Idaho; a very special aunt, Carol Williams of Oak Grove, Mo.; her caring stepmother, Joilene Davidson of California; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.