HILO, Hawai'i — Former state lawmaker and community organizer Anson Chong, who served in the state Senate from 1974 to 1980 and later as a member of the Big Island county Board of Appeals, died Tuesday in Hawaiian Paradise Park after a long illness. He was 69.

"He was a mentor and inspiration to many people in his public service and his positive optimistic outlook, and I never heard him say no to anyone who asked for help," said Ann N. Gleason, Chong's wife of 24 years.

"His entire life ... was one of service."

Chong was born on O'ahu and grew up in Kaimuki, graduating from Punahou School in 1956 before serving with the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks. He went on to major in economics at Colgate University in New York, and obtain a master's degree in economics from Columbia University.

He worked briefly as a portfolio analyst for a New York investment firm before volunteering to teach economics in Nigeria for the Peace Corps. He later served as a foreign service officer in the U.S. State Department, and was on active duty with the State Department during three wars, including in Sudan during the Arab-Israeli war of 1967, the Biafra-Nigeria war in 1967 and 1968, and in Thailand during the Vietnam War in 1968 and 1969.

Chong opposed the Vietnam War, and left the State Department rather than accept what would have been his next assignment as a defoliation officer in Vietnam, said his wife.

After returning to Hawai'i, Chong became active in anti-war protests at the University of Hawai'i, and served as an aide to U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye in 1971 and 1972.

Former Gov. John Burns encouraged Chong to enter politics as part of Burns' larger effort to draw promising young local leaders into that arena. Chong won a seat in the state House representing Manoa in 1972 before winning election to the Senate representing areas that included Manoa, Makiki and Waikiki.

Chong left politics after reapportionment carved up his Senate district, but from 1980 on he lectured off and on in economics and political science for the University of Hawai'i, influencing many young people, said Gleason.

Chong also worked in the Model Cities federal urban renewal program, and as executive director of the Economic Development Authority in Phonpei State, Federated States of Micronesia.

He was also copy editor for the Nikkei Group, publisher of the Asian Wall Street Journal in Tokyo.

He is survived by his wife, of the Big Island; brother Wayson Chong, stepfather Lee Winters Jr., niece Sunway Chong and nephew Jai Chong, all of Honolulu; and numerous cousins.

A memorial service is being planned for Hilo, with arrangements to be announced later, Gleason said.