Brian Kim Chia

Obituary for Brian Kim Chia
1963 - 2026

Brian Kim Chia of Brandon, Florida, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away on February 17, 2026, at the age of 63 after a courageous battle with colorectal cancer. Prior to moving to Florida in 2024, he was a long term resident of Ashburn, VA.

Born in Malaysia, Brian came to the United States as a young man to pursue his education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Albany and later completed his Master of Business Administration at Northeastern University in Boston. From the moment he arrived, Brian embraced this country with deep gratitude and conviction. He was profoundly patriotic and held a sincere appreciation for the freedoms, values, and opportunities America represents—beliefs that shaped the way he thought, worked, and lived.

Brian's life reflected what mattered most to him—his faith in God, his commitment to truth, and his willingness to ask the questions that mattered. Those who knew him quickly understood that he saw the world in clear lines of black and white and rarely hesitated to say exactly what he thought. If a conversation drifted too far from the subject, he had a way of bringing it back with his familiar question: "And the point is?"

He loved a spirited debate and often played the devil's advocate simply to test ideas and sharpen the discussion, delivering his observations with a wit that was sometimes sardonic, often sarcastic, and unmistakably Brian. A lifelong Star Trek fan, he shared more than a little of Spock's analytical spirit—a love of logic, clear thinking, and asking the questions that brought a conversation back to what really mattered.

⭐ Professional Life
Brian built a respected and meaningful career in the telecommunications industry, most notably through his work with Verizon Business. He was known for his intelligence, technical insight, and his ability to cut through complexity with clarity and precision.

He had a rare gift for seeing the underlying structure of a problem - whether technical, operational, or strategic - and explaining it in a way that made sense to everyone in the room. Colleagues relied on him for honest assessments, clear thinking, and a steady presence in challenging moments. He approached his work with integrity, curiosity, and a deep sense of responsibility, believing that doing a job well was a form of stewardship. His influence was felt not only in the solutions he crafted but in the people he encouraged, challenged, and sharpened along the way.

❤️ Faith, Family, and Ministry
At the center of Brian's life was his family. He shared 35 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Dolores Chia, better known as Del. They built a life grounded in faith, perseverance, and partnership. Even when they did not see eye to eye, Brian often brought the conversation back to center with a verse of Scripture he knew by heart.

Brian was a committed follower of Jesus Christ and an active member of Cascades Bible Church in Virginia, and Grace Bible Church of Tampa. He deeply loved this country and carried a strong concern for the health of the Church both in America and around the world. He was passionate about strengthening the Church and proud of his involvement with The Navigators and International Student Ministries, where he encouraged and mentored others in their faith.

Brian is survived by his wife Del; his daughters, Caitlin Chia and Lauren Chia; his sisters, Peggy, Paula, and Cindy; his brother, Ron; five nieces and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his daughter Erin, one of the triplets, who passed away in 2015 and whose memory he carried closely throughout his life.

🎗️ Brian's Final Wish
Before his passing, Brian shared one final wish: that others would understand how dangerous long standing Type-2 diabetes can be and how strongly it is linked to diseases such as colorectal cancer.
In response, his family is establishing The Brian Initiative, dedicated to raising awareness about the connection between long standing diabetes and colorectal cancer and encouraging people to seek screening.

📅 Service Information
A celebration of Brian's life will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Grace Bible Church of Tampa. 10309 Raulerson Ranch Road, Tampa, Florida 33637. Service will be followed by a reception.
Family and friends are warmly invited to attend.
If you plan to attend, or want to live stream, please RSVP by visiting brianchiamemorial.com .