Obituaries

Paul Hwayoung Kim

Paul Hwayoung Kim, 49, passed away on March 9, 2022 in Chesapeake, Virginia.  He was a native of Duluth, Minnesota and Bartlett, Illinois.  Paul recently moved with his family to Chesapeake, Virginia at the end of 2021.  He worked in the Financial Services industry and was also a Licensed Practical Nurse specializing in Pediatric Care.

Paul was a devoted husband, father and avid athlete, having participated in several marathons and was an active member of his Jiu-Jitsu academy with his sons. 

In Illinois, he volunteered for many years at the Journey Care Hospice Center for Veterans. He also served in the Army Reserves for ten years and was honorably discharged in 2011. He attended Restoration Community Church in Naperville, Illinois until the family’s recent move.

Paul leaves behind his wife of 13 years, Su; sons, Nathan and Samuel; Mom and Dad, Yong S. and Barbara Johnson Kim of Duluth Minnesota; sister, Ruth and her husband Johannes Kalb and their two daughters of Portland Oregon; mother-in-law, Ok Yon Yu of Newport News, Virginia; great aunt, Kay Robson of Newport News Virginia; and brother-in-law, Sung and Youree Yu and family of Oswego, Illinois.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2022 at Peninsula Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 19 at the funeral home. To view the service live, go to: www.peninsulafuneralhome.com/video. Interment will follow at the Korean Baptist Church Cemetery.

6 Comments

  1. su dierbeck

    I feel honored to have volunteered with Paul in the Journey Care program to honor vets with pinnings. We are fortunate to have his beautiful voice on tape to sign the National Anthem. He was a vital part of the program and I extend to all his family my sincere condolences. He left way too soon! Su Dierbeck (Journey Care Volunteer)

  2. Christine Dierbeck

    Paul made such an impression on me with his beautiful singing of the National Anthem for veterans’ pinnings with JourneyCare in IL. He will be so missed. His gift of this tribute will be remembered by so many. My condolences to his family and close friends.

  3. Bill Petty

    Paul and I recorded a version of the National Anthem that is being used for all of our Journey Care pinning ceremonies where we honor the service of men and women veterans who have answered the call to defend our country. He had a wonderful voice that went along with his wonderful personality. He will be missed, but, at least, his voice remains. Rest in peace my friend

  4. Victor Cheng

    I’m shocked and saddened to hear the news! Paul always had a warm welcome for me. My family and I will be praying for your family, Su.

  5. Nicole Perry

    To Paul’s family: I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I worked with Paul at JourneyCare and he was such a kind, caring nurse. I also kept in contact with him after we no longer worked together and enjoyed seeing how he was spending time with his family while continuing to serve veterans.

  6. Linda Rockwell

    Paul was a truly caring and dedicated volunteer with JourneyCare’s We Honor Veterans program. He was so often the first to volunteer to pay tribute to a fellow veteran. During the pandemic when we transitioned to doing virtual honoring ceremonies, Paul participated in dozens of the ceremonies, always making the effort to put on his Army uniform before singing the national anthem “live” for each one. When his work schedule prohibited him from attending most of the ceremonies, he made a recording of the anthem with fellow veteran volunteer Bill Petty, so we could continue to include this more personal version of the Star-Spangled Banner. He made special effort to help with Veterans Day ceremonies our organization sponsored and was even able to bring his beloved sons to join him at one of them in 2021. One of my last contacts with Paul after his move to Virginia was asking me to serve as a reference so he could become a volunteer there. The world is a better place because he was here with us, though for far too short a time.

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