Philip Lung-Mao Ko

December 25, 1928 - June 21, 2025

Philip Lung-Mao Ko of Sunnyvale, California passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025. He lived a long, happy 96 years and was married for almost 63 years to his loving wife, Marie. He was proud of his two children and six grandchildren.

Philip was born in Hankow, Wuhan, China. He was the third of five sons and was raised Catholic. He loved to speak Italian and thought at one point he would become a priest. He was very studious and loved math. He left China at 17 to attend National Taiwan University. At 21, Philip immigrated to the US and received his masters at South Dakota State University and his PhD from UC Berkeley in aeronautical engineering. He met the love of his life, Marie, at Berkeley and they married on August 18, 1962. In 1963, Philip and Marie welcomed Kathy and Ken arrived in 1968, a perfect family. Philip worked at Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, General Dynamics and Lockheed in Philadelphia, Delaware, Missouri, Connecticut and California.

After retirement in 1988, Philip and Marie welcomed Tom (Kathy) that same year and Esther (Ken) in 1995 and the family grew with the addition of his six grandchildren: Kevin, Grant, Derek, Lance, David and Lydia. They enjoyed world travels in their 'go-go' years and Philip found a second calling as a tax accountant at H&R Block and president of the Stanford Area Chinese Club. Days were filled with karaoke, playing mahjong and dancing.

Later on, Philip began to earnestly seek God and he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 2004. He and Marie were faithful members of the Chinese Church in Christ for many years. A big highlight was when he and Marie finished an intensive ten year Bible study through the entire Bible in 2019. Philip loved his family fiercely and was so proud of his wife, children and grandchildren. He would never miss a moment to let us all know how important we were to him. He will rest in peace knowing that our love for Philip—husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and great uncle—lives on forever.

Philip is survived by his loving wife, Marie, daughter, Kathy (Tom Chou) Los Altos, CA, Ken (Esther Ko) Long Beach, CA and six adoring grandchildren (Kevin Chou (Nicole), Grant Chou, Derek Chou, Lance Chou, David Ko and Lydia Ko). Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/