Kai Chi Kwok

Kai Chi was born on November 20, 1927, in Fuzhou, China. He was married to Yuk Ying Chan, his devoted wife, for over six decades. Kai Chi served in the Chinese navy in his early adulthood. After his service, he married and lived with his wife in a farming community for a short time before joining a merchant ship as an officer. He traveled the world for several years and reunited with his family during intervals between voyages, having three children while in China. Kai Chi and Yuk Ying relocated to Hong Kong in 1961, where they had three more children and raised all six there. In 1969, the Kwok family immigrated to the United States and lived in Washington, D.C., before eventually settling in Culpeper, VA, where Kai Chi and Yuk Ying tirelessly ran a family business for almost 15 years. After selling their successful restaurant, they continued to work with family and lived in Charlottesville, VA, and Springfield, VA, over the next 30 years before moving to Ellicott City, MD, with their son in November 2015. Kai Chi spent much cherished time with his family for the last years of his life and was very happy when his generations of children visited. When he was able, he enjoyed walking outside almost every day.

Kai Chi is survived by his four children, Brenda Shek of Charlottesville, Fung Sham of Springfield, Wanda Kwok of Springfield, and Fei Kwok of Ellicott City; two daughters-in-law, Lisa Shao of Gaithersburg, MD, and Ching-Fen Kwok of Ellicott City; three sons-in-law, Yee D. Shek of Charlottesville, Foon Sham of Springfield, and Richard Woo of Springfield; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Yuk Ying, whom he missed dearly; father, Xian Zhen; mother, Lin Tie Ying; sister, Zhu Mei; three brothers, Kai Yang, Kai Lee, and Kai Charng; son, William Kwok; and daughter, Cindy Kwok.

A viewing will be held at the Fort Lincoln Funeral Home, 3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, MD, on Sunday, June 9, from 10:30 am until time of service at 11:30 am. Interment in Fort Lincoln Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association.