Jerry Kuo

Happily married and together forever, Jerry Lai-Hwa Kuo and Hopi Sung Kuo passed away peacefully this sunny week of January, 2013. Jerry Lai-Hwa Kuo (Jan 3, 1932 – Jan 16, 2013), graduated from Republic of China Naval Academy, and Hopi Kuo (Apr 2, 1933 – Jan 19, 2013), graduated from Chung Yuan Christian University with degree in Chemistry, were married on Oct 24th , 1959, and had been together ever since.

Lai-Hwa started his career by achieving his lifelong dreams of traveling the seven seas and visiting the many wonders of the world. He would tell the stories of fishing with just line and his bare hands and how he caught sharks off the bow of a ship that was four stories high, and how amazing the sight of the World Fair was. After moving to the US he adopted “Jerry” as his English name. Always the adventurer, Jerry experienced many careers in US but finally settled as a Realtor in his latter years just because he really enjoyed the social aspect of interacting with people.

Hopi was the soul and backbone of the family. She instilled the emphasis of education and the importance of being an overall good person to her sons all while raising them often by herself because of Jerry’s travel. She also shared the same sense of adventure and courage and moved the entire family to the US in 1975, with the objective of giving her children the best possible opportunities in life. She achieved that goal. She was also the story teller in the family, always recounting the rich history of her parent’s heritage in Taiwan to her children, so that they would know and always remember.

Stories:

Jerry enjoyed the study of ancient Chinese medicine and history. He filled his office with maps of the world and china along with books and models for acupuncture. He would always try treatment with Chinese medicine first, even though one of his sons is a successful doctor of modern medicine. Jerry was insistent on doing things his own way and fiercely independent minded.

Besides her family, Hopi loved her orchid garden and planting in general. She could tell you the story of each and every one of the beautiful orchids she had collected, some from as far away as Hawaii. She would brave rain storms just to rescue her orchid from the garden and bring them into her living room and kitchen. She always wanted to be responsible for everything under her care.

Somewhat unique was that both Jerry and Hopi were very photogenic, and they just naturally looked nice in pictures. They enjoyed having their picture or video taken and shared with the family; some pictures were funny and others were just what they did that day such as meals at the restaurant or market. But in all pictures one would always see them hold hands when they walk and sat together when they eat. It was obvious what each of them meant to each other.

Survived:

Jerry and Hopi Kuo are survived by their three sons: David Kuo, Tom Kuo, George & Sheila Kuo. Their grandchildren: Felicia, Brittany, Dylan, Kyla and Skylar Kuo.

Jerry also is survived by his cousin, Martina Shi, whom he was very close to, Mavis Kuo of US, and others in Taiwan.

Hopi Kuo had always cherished her relationship and interaction with her siblings dearly. They had been her source of mutual support throughout life, and a constant topic of fond memories. She is survived by her older sister Chao Pi Sung Tseng of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, younger brothers George Sung, Bethesda, MD;Chao-Ho Sung of Potomac MD and John Sung of New York City.

A small private memorial will be held on January 23rd, 2013, follow-by their permanent resting in Taiwan at a near future date.

Please direct any questions to David at [email protected], or visit their site in future at “LaiHwa-Hopi-Remembered.us”

Arrangements under the direction of Westminster Memorial Park, 14801 Beach Blvd. Wetminster Ca 92683 (714) 893-2421.