Rev. Chun Sam Yi

The Rev. Chun Sam Yi, 87, returned to his heavenly home on June 11, 2019. His devotion to God and his family brought glory to God.

Sam was born to the late Moon Bin and Kwang Sub Yi, a farmer, in Hwang Hae Do, Korea on December 13, 1931. He was immersed in the Christian community that would be his lifelong career from an early age. During his time as a choir member at his church, the Korean War broke out. He, his mother, and his older sister Soon Ok Na, were the only ones who were able to escape the war zone. After the war, he taught at the Calvin Theological Seminary in Seoul, Korea before immigrating to the United States for the benefit of his four children’s education. In Marina, CA, he planned a church in 1969 and accepted a position as the Lead Pastor. In 1990, he graduated from the Golden Gate Theological Seminary, San Francisco, CA with a degree of Doctorate of Ministry and continued in his position at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Marina, CA, for 35 years.

Sam was blessed with a loving family. He married his sweetheart from his college years, Young Ja Kim, on March 17, 1958 in Seoul, Korea. Sam helped raised his four children in a Godly way with patience, discipline, and humility. He taught them to read the Bible, know and sing all the songs in the hymnal, write and solve complex equations, and often took them on long family trips to see the natural beauty of God’s creation in Korea and the United States. From the very beginning, he dedicated his children to God and encouraged them to explore the beauty of the gospels, leading his eldest son, Nam, to become a Deacon, his second son, Mil, to become a Ordained Minister of God, and his third and fourth sons, Mil Hwan and Milton, to served the Lord in their lives.

Sam was a preacher at heart. He was kind and soft-­‐spoken, and always had time to answer a question or a solve problem, no matter how small. He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sam is survived by his sons, Mil Nam, Mil Am, Mil Hwan, and Mil Un; his grandchildren Chris, Allie, Candice, and Catherine; daughter-­‐in-­‐laws, Chong Hee, Nan Hee, and In sook; grand-­‐dog, Momo and great-­‐grand-­‐dog, Brindle.

Sam will be buried at the Palm Northwest Cemetery at 1:00 p. m. on June 18, with a reception to follow at the Palm Northwest Mortuary. Chaplain Mil Yi, United States Navy will officiate the service. The family gratefully requests your thoughts and prayers.