Remembering Dad

Christopher Kyoung Ho Yoon

January 17, 1942 ~ October 24, 2014

Beloved Husband, Dad, Grandfather, Brother, and Friend.

Dear Dad,
We are so deeply saddened by your passing and there is not a day that will go by, where we won’t feel the weight of your loss. You bravely fought cancer for the last two years and eventually, that awful disease would deteriorate your body, but never your heart.
We celebrated your life earlier this week with a humble gathering of dear family and friends. Richard gave a beautiful eulogy in honor of you and I have never been more proud of him as I was that day.

Nearly forty two years ago, you brought your family here from Korea with $300 in your pocket and you worked tirelessly to give your children every opportunity we could have ever hoped for. You passed down your work ethic, your loyalty, your devotion to family, and your generous heart. We received your adventurous spirit, your love of baseball, fishing, the beach, cooking, good food, and your love of road trips.

I love this picture of you, Dad because everyone knows it was rare that we could get you to smile for a photo. Here, you are not only smiling, but there is life and joy in your eyes.

This is how we will remember you. 

This is how you looked every time you were around your grandchildren. Your whole face lit up. You were so proud of them and loved them all dearly. In fact, I’d never heard the words, “I love you” so often as you said them to Faith, Grace, Kylie, and James. They were blessed to have you for the short time they did. Madilyn and Zachary have missed out on their Hapajee but you can be sure, we will keep your memory alive with the stories we share with them, year after year.

You and mom were married for 47 years and in the end, you passed away in the loving arms of the bride of your youth. I’m certain, that’s just the way you wanted it.


You loved mom more than life itself and you counted yourself the luckiest guy in the world to be married to such a beautiful woman for all these years. Thank you for showing us what a marriage covenant looks like. To love someone through the good and the bad, through sickness and health, for richer or poorer, to sacrifice daily without complaint, and to take care of your loved ones, even until your last breath.
Although this life will never be the same without you again, our faithful God has given us a great comfort in His promises.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” ~John 5:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” ~John 11:25

Dad, we will miss you terribly but we cannot mourn as those who have no hope. Our hope comes from the Lord and we know that we will see you again and share eternity together… 

…And what a glorious reunion that day will be.

Until then, rest in peace, daddy.
We love you and we miss you already.