Two Chinese American Men - Don Lum and Richard Lum - pictured in front of a garden fence in Arkansas

Don Lum

Belonging & Prejudice Career Achievement Family Roles

Date of Birth: August 9, 1946Store: John Lum's Grocery, Blytheville, Arkansas
Portrait of Don Lum
"I think it's difficult growing up as part of a small ethnic group. And you have to adapt. And my way of adapting was not being socially isolated, but having friends and acquaintances. And I really had a really good time growing up, I had some friends."

Dr. Don Lum was born in Blytheville, Arkansas on August 9, 1946. His father, John Lum, came to the United States in 1924 on the USS McKinley, and his mother, Doris Lum, came over in 1929 on the USS Grant. His parents lived in St. Louis and then Mississippi for a short time, before finally settling down in Blytheville in 1939. 

Ever since he was tall enough to see over the store counter, Don remembers working in his family’s grocery store, John Lum’s Grocery, alongside his siblings. With Don having eight siblings, the store did not need any outside hired workers. His brother Sam even came back to Arkansas to work in the store so that Don could play sports in high school. When his father passed away between his sophomore and junior years of high school, his mother, who knew little English, had to take over the store as well as step into the role of a single parent. 

Don struggled with his identity growing up in Blytheville as his family was one of the only Chinese families in the town. He often felt out of place, sometimes even the target of bullying and discrimination, and was very conscious that he looked different from others. However, he combated those feelings and actions by forming friendships and taking on leadership roles at school. When not working in the store, he was a very avid participant in high school clubs and sports. Don held the titles of president of the student council, and captain of the football team, and lettered in both football and track. 

Don’s mother Doris was awarded Chinese Mother of the Year, and one of the values that she instilled in him was a heavy emphasis on education. Thus, after high school, he went on to attend the University of Arkansas, earning a BS in Chemistry. After that, he attended medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, receiving a deferment from the Army to finish his schooling. While in the army, Don was promoted to captain of the Medical Corps and was honorably discharged in the summer of 1979.

Presently, Don and his wife Gwen live in Pine Bluff, Arkansas where he has led a private dermatology practice for more than twenty years. Although Don’s experience growing up in Blytheville was at times isolating, his adult life continues to be defined by connection to both his local and national community through service.  

Story by Anna Custer

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  • Color photo of rural grocery store with cars and shoppers out front
    John Lum Grocery and Market in Blytheville, AR
  • A black and white photo of children and adults. On the left is Don and his father, John Lum and in the middle is his mother, Doris Lum, and his grandfather Pang Lum.
    The Lum family in the 1940s [Don Lum, far left; Doris Seid Lum, center]
  • Woman holding a child in front of a backyard garden
    Don and Ms. Lum in front of her backyard garden, where she grew Chinese vegetables like foo gwa 苦瓜 [Bitter Mellon]
  • This is a black and white photo of an older man holding a young child. The child, on the left, is young Don Lum and the older man on the right is his grandfather, Pang Lum.
    Pang Lum, Don's grandfather, holding Don as a baby.
  • This photo is Don Lum on the left with sunglasses and Bill Clinton on the right smiling for the picture.
    Don Lum with childhood friend Bill Clinton, whom he met at Boys' State
  • This is a colored photo of five people behind a counter at a grocery store. Starting from the left there is Don, his niece, his brother Richard, his nephew, and his sister-in-law.
    Don Lum joined by his brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew in John Lum's Grocery
  • Letterhead from the Chinese Association of Arkansas nominating Doris Seid Lum for Chinese Mother of the Year
    Chinese Association of Arkansas Letter nominating Doris Lum for Mother of the Year
  • Three football players kneeling on grass, outdoors
    Don Lum (right) lettered in Football and was featured as a standout player in Arkansas Football Magazine
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