Tit Mun Chun

Mark Tit Mun Chun passed away on April 25, 2020. His wife, Carol, was by his side throughout their 61 years together, and particularly during these last several years as his memory and mobility became more elusive.

Tit Mun worked hard throughout his almost 90 years on earth, with his family always in his line of vision. Born on May 28, 1930, in Kong Bui Village in Kwangtung Province, he fled war-torn southern China with two of his brothers, his sister, and his father, in 1941, only to face the war in Hawaii, witnessing the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Growing up in Hawaii, he attended school while working as a bakery assistant, a butcher’s helper, a farmer, and a laborer stacking hollow tiles, graduating from McKinley High and then putting himself through UH, where he earned his engineering degree. He would later earn his executive MBA.

His first full-time job was as an engineer in Eureka, CA, but after just six months, the cold northern CA weather drove him back to Hawaii, where he served two years with the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division. When offered a job with Hawaii Territory’s Highways Division in 1956, he jumped at the opportunity, launching what would become a lifetime career with the State of Hawaii. Three years later, he married Carol Ngit Lin Lau, and their lives would flex and expand over the next several decades, encompassing five children, their move to their forever home, and years of laughter and general craziness. In 1989, he retired from the Department of Transportation for a position as vice president of M&E Pacific. In 1993, he "really' retired as its president.

He was a firm believer in the importance of community service and throughout his life, he volunteered in many ways, participating in everything from his kids’ PTA, to the Moanalua Gardens Missionary Church—where he was baptized—to his community association—which named him the honorary mayor. He also volunteered with professional organizations, like the American Society of Civil Engineers, Engineers and Architects of Hawaii, Hawaii Economic Development Corporation, and the Hawaii State Federal Credit Union, where he served as director, chairman, and treasurer.

Although he loved playing the stock market, his financial know-how was far from faultless. Yet he was always ready to offer advice to anyone who needed it. He prized leadership and business acumen as character traits, but above all, he valued humility and hard work. Education was his top priority, and although he himself struggled in school because English was his second language, he and Carol both made sacrifices to ensure that their children graduated from college. Unlike many of his generation, he emphasized to his children and grandchildren that it did not matter whether they were butchers, bakers, or candlestick makers—as long as they respected others, were financially stable, and lived happily. There would always be someone richer than you, always someone poorer than you, he would say, so don’t want for any more, and appreciate everything you have.

He saw himself as profoundly fortunate to have enjoyed many lifelong friendships with people he met through his journey. He was also proud of his strong family ties. He had great respect and gratitude for his parents, and spoke about his brothers and sisters—12 in all--with admiration and pride. Today, his extended family includes many nieces and nephews, and his siblings: his brothers David Tit Seung (Dolores), Tit Kwong (Lorraine), Tit Kwon (Ellie) Chun, sister-in-law Elsa Chun, and sisters, Mary (Wah Gon) Tom and Susana (Jim) Liu. He was predeceased by his sisters Pui Duck (Leon) Lee, Eunice (Kwock Nam) Lau and brothers Tit Houng, Tit Jong, and two others. He believed he was blessed with a loving family. Above all, he believed God had provided all that he needed.

In turn, Carol and the family they shared, including his five children and their spouses—Belinda and Clark Dorman, Given and Doris Chun, Gail and Craig Chang, Jennifer Chun, Lynn and James Ink—and his eleven grandchildren and one granddaughter-in-law, were fortunate to have enjoyed many years laughing with and learning from him.

Although memory slipped by him on earth, in heaven, his memory is eternal. From his view above and ours below, Tit Mun can see that his was a life spent to its fullest.

A private inurnment ceremony was held at the Punchbowl Cemetery on August 17. A celebration of life is pending because of the COVID restrictions. Please visit www.dignitymemorial.com for updates.