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Jentso Hwang Obituary
HWANG LT JENTSO HWANG, JAGC, U.S. NAVY (Age 30) On Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Washington D.C. LT Jentso James Hwang, JAGC, U.S. Navy. passed away unexpectedly. He is survived by mother, Maggie Hwang; father, Chin Shi Hwang; younger siblings, Jackie and Renyo, and girlfriend, Hilary Dockray. We deeply mourn the tragic loss of our beloved Jentso. He had the brightest spirit, a heart of gold, and was armed with the most playful sense of humor that brought laughter and joy to so many. He had such a passion for his work, serving first as an appellate defense counsel in the Office of the Judge Advocate General Appellate Defense Division (Code 45). He was accepted into the Judge Advocate General's Corps Student Program and commissioned in October 2005. He completed Naval Justice School in 2006 and reported to the Naval Legal Service Office North Central (NLSO NC). In 2008, Lieutenant Hwang deployed to Al Anbar, Iraq with the 1st Marine Logistics Group, and earned his Fleet Marine Force Qualification. After his first tour at NLSO NC, Lieutenant Hwang clerked for the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals. Jentso was born in Taipei, Taiwan and came to the United States at the age of five. He grew up in Sugar Land, Texas, with a great love for drawing, piano, films, comics, martial arts (later on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), and big Texas sports. Sparring with both his words and comedic spirit, he studied Philosophy and Radio/Television/Film at the University of Texas in Austin and graduated with honors in 2002. Before D.C, Jentso attended the University of Minnesota Law School in Minneapolis graduating cum laude in 2006. For Washington, DC: The command memorial service will take place at 10 a.m., Friday, July 15, 2011 at the Catering and Conference Center aboard the Washington Navy Yard. Please contact beforehand LT Erik Carlson, USN at 202-685-8515, for access to base. For Houston, TX: Visitation will be held Thursday, July 21, 2011 and funeral service and burial on Friday, July 22, 2011, 10 a.m. Please contact: Forest Park Westheimer for more information, 281-497-2330.For Houston, TX: Visitation will be held Thursday, July 21, 2011 and funeral service and burial on Friday, July 22, 2011, 10 a.m. Please contact: Forest Park Westheimer for more information, 281-497-2330.
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Memories and Condolences
for Jentso Hwang
July 31, 2011
Dear Hwang Family,
It was with a heavy heart that I learned the other night from my former colleague,Dr Jefffrey Blair of the unexpected and tragic loss of your beloved Jentso.We worked together very closely when he was one of the young attorney's assigned to argue cases before the Navy Physical Evalluation Board. As the senior physicin there, he reprsentedr many military personnel in their appeal sof the initial decisions rendered by the board. While we certainly did not always agree, I found him to be thoroughly profeesional at all times and an ardent advocate for his clients who always placed their interests ahead of his. The Nvy has suffered a tremendous loss with his passing as his future was unlimited in its scope and potential. I am hopeful that the results o the autopsy will provide you with an answer as to the cause of his passing. It is important to know not because it will bring him back but because it wll help bring closure for you. Words at this time are truly inadequate to express your sorrow and rief but hopefully with the passage of time that you will come to cherish how he brought joy to all the lives he touched. On behalf of myself and my family please accept our sincerest sympathies and deepest condolensces. I shall endeavour to keep him in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Capatain Robert B. Murphy Medical United States Navy retired.
CAPT Frank Reynolds, MC, USN
July 29, 2011
Dear Hwang family and friends of Jentso,
I worked with Jentso when he was with the Navy Legal Services Office in Washington, DC. He represented clients in the Disability Evaluation System who were undergoing the Physical Evaluation Board process. Few persons today would be unaware of the frequently antagonistic relationship that exists between physicians (such as myself) and lawyers. Thus, when I say that Jentso was "one of the good ones," understand that there are precious few higher compliments that I could pay to him. I believe I speak for the members of the Physical Evaluation Board in general when I say that whether we were "across the table" from Jentso or if we were just casually interacting, it was always a pleasure to work with this fine young Navy officer. I mourn his untimely passing and I express my condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.
Nate Gross
July 25, 2011
Dear Hwang family and friends,
I knew Jentso first at the University of Minnesota and then met up with him again when he joined the JAG Corps. I am terribly sorry for your loss. Even though I knew him for a relatively brief time, I found him to be a good hearted, intelligent person and an esteemed peer. He was an excellent person and will be greatly missed.
Vida Dwyer
July 22, 2011
I was lucky to know James when he and I were both students at the University of Texas at Austin. James was a perenially smiling, positive person and he always made an experience better simply by his being a part of it. My condolences go out to the Hwang family and friends on the loss of Jentso.
Melvin Abraham
July 21, 2011
I give you my sincerest condolences. Though his passing was sudden his impact lives on through the lives of his loved ones and friends. May God comfort you all during this time of mourning.
Kenny Howard
July 21, 2011
"I just found out about the passing of my friend during middle school and high school, James Hwang. James was a gifted and caring person, with a great sense of humor. He will be missed! Please remember his family in prayer." - Kenny Howard (Saltville, Virginia)
Larae Malapitan
July 21, 2011
When I heard of James passing, I was in disbelief. It has been many, many years since I last saw him. Immediately, memories of his laughter and his perfect comedic timing washed over me. Many people have said it before me and I will echo the same sentiment: James was one of the most genuine and kind person I've ever come across in my life. He was truly one of a kind. Rest in peace, James.
Tony Chu
July 21, 2011
James,
It’s hard for me to believe that you are gone. I always thought that we would be able to reflect on our lives as we got older and look back at how young we were when we first started our friendship. I still remember hanging out at your house, giving each other rides from school, and a lot of fun moments that we had together. Always the eternal optimist, you could not have been a truer friend than you were. We shared a lot of memories growing up, and I know that you will live on because I will never forget our time spent together. We will all miss you. Rest in peace, friend.
TSgt Michael Ocampo, USAF
July 19, 2011
It is always hard receiving news of the passing of a service member. It is infinitely more difficult receiving such news when that dutiful and dedicated soul is an old friend. So much emotion comes from the regret of missed opportunities. It's been ages since I've seen him, and yet this regret washes over me... knowing we went from boys to men enjoying the same passions in life but I was not close enough to him to keep in touch. I wish we could have trained jiu jitsu together. I wish we could have served our country together. Those who had the opportunity to know James as this man must consider themselves blessed.
Anyone with this much love and respect for (and from) his friends and family is most certainly gone too soon.
Anna Martine Whitehead
July 19, 2011
To Ren-yo and the Hwang Family,
I regret having never had the privilege of meeting Jentso. I'm so sorry for your loss and send my deepest condolences. Wishing love and protection for you and your family.
Jennifer Hwo
July 19, 2011
James. I never thought you would be leaving so soon. You were always there for me - a friend I could depend on since meeting you in orchestra in middle school.
I miss talking with you and sharing where life has taken us. I miss you, my friend.
Thank you for the many memories we had together. You will always be remembered. Until we meet again, rest in peace.
Roxana Narat
July 19, 2011
James, you always had a great attitude on life, and it showed in your smile. I still remember how you used to make me laugh, especially when we had to work on projects or when Senora Garza was going a bit crazy during Spanish class. Wow, such a long time ago. It was a joy to know you. You were such a kind person with a good heart. Those who have gotten to meet you and listen to your contagious laugh should consider themselves lucky. We'll miss you, James.
Howard Chen
July 19, 2011
When I think of James, I think of that smile that is seen on the picture by his name on this website. I've always pictured him laughing. That's just the type of guy he was - always positive. In this time of heartbreak and sadness, the one positive thing out of all this is that we were all blessed to have the moments that we did with James. He helped make those moments magical. We'll all miss you, James. RIP.
Hadley Berryhill
July 18, 2011
I first met Jentso while interning in D.C. As a co-worker, he took countless hours out of his day to help my work shine in front of our superiors. He was always kind and professional. He was trusted and respected by everyone.
I also had the opportunity to know Jentso on a personal level. His love for his family, friends, and Hilary were crystal clear. And he was always looking out for others.
Jentso may have had a short life, but it was not a wasted life. May his kindness continue to live on in all of us.
Clinton Yu
July 18, 2011
During our college days at UT, Abby and I were fortunate to have befriended a special person like you - genuine, kind, and good-humored.
I'll always fondly remember my visit to Minneapolis in 2006. Although you didn't know me as well as your other college friends, you treated me like family taking me places to eat, touring the city, and giving me unbiased advice about choosing law schools. This is one of, I'm sure, many stories showing the exceptional person you were.
We will all miss you, James. R.I.P.
Clinton and Abby Yu
After our first anniversary dinner, January 2011
Hilary Dockray
July 17, 2011
We may receive a reason for why he died within the next few months, but there will really never be a reason for why this happened. It's truly senseless that such a person as him died far too soon.
When we met, we were both immediately drawn to each other. I never thought he would want to be with the likes of me, but for some reason he knew from the first time he met me that I was the one for him. He told his mom this, and if he was telling his mom such a thing, then it must be true. While I am indescribably angry, jealous, and heartbroken that the future we had planned will never be, I am also lucky and thankful that I had a beautiful year and a half with a truly beautiful person. I never understood why he loved me so much, but I am so happy I could give him such a thing. My own heart, mind, and spirit grew in deep and unexpected ways just from knowing him and loving him in return. I did not know how deep love could be until I was with him.
Honey, I hope you're not too sad wherever you are now, and that you'll watch over us until we join you someday. You didn't get to do so many things that you wanted to do, and I am sad for that, but your life was not wasted; you did many great things, and made so many peoples' lives better, just by being you. I love you so much, honey, and I know that you love me, too. I will never forget it.
Hilary
Lee Dockray
July 17, 2011
Our deepest heartfelt condolences go out to James' family and friends. Kathy and I had not yet been afforded the privilege of knowing him well, but were looking forward to it as his relationship with our daughter moved forward. Hilary is heartbroken at the loss of her love just as they were planning their life together and we feel for her loss. Our pain at watching our daughter live through this is profound, but still nothing anything near what his mother and sisters must be experiencing. As I told Hilary one night recently, he will live on in the memories of those whose lives he touched and those who loved him.
Lee and Kathy Dockray
Matthew P
July 16, 2011
James I wish I would have gotten to know you better because in passing I realize we had more in common then both of us thought. I remember being shocked when you told me you had only been training for one year. Although neither of us knew it while we were training Jiu Jitsu, you actually helped me out with a legal situation some months prior to us meeting. You also grew up in the same area of Houston as my wife.
I will always remember you as being humble, friendly, patient, tough, professional, and an overall good person. Your positive presence will definitely be missed. May you rest in peace.
Mary Anne Hutchison
July 16, 2011
I knew James through jiu jitsu, and was fortunate enough to work with him regularly over the past couple years. He had a ton of positive energy that everyone around him benefited from. James was the person who always had a kind word to say, even when everyone else was too tired to talk. Even though we lost him far too soon, he will still live on in the thoughts and memories of all those who knew him.
dania davy
July 16, 2011
Ren-yo - This is truly heartbreaking. I am so sorry for your brother's passing. Sending you my deepest condolences and comfort.
Johnny Chu
July 15, 2011
There will never be enough words that can explain how all-encompassingly flawless James was as a friend, brother, son, and partner. It's impossible to quantify how many people he's touched in his unfairly shortened life, and how many more will be touched by his memory. There are very few truly good men in the world, and we have just lost one.
Jaan Hasan
July 15, 2011
I wish I could have made it to the memorial. You couldn't think of something bad to say about James if you tried. Always had a great sense of humor, I've never seen him without a smile on his face. I didn't know him too well outside the gym, but I could still sincerely say he will be missed.
AJ Lee
July 15, 2011
Ren & Hwang Family,
Sincerest condolences on your loss. Though I never had the privilege of meeting Jentso, Ren always spoke so highly and warmly of him and I know he will be missed dearly.
Terence Tang
July 15, 2011
James... you were a great friend and a truly rare human being. The world has really suffered a great loss. I'll always remember staying up late drawing comics in middle school, aspiring to one day start our own comic book company. You were the epitome of a great person; a true role model. I'm blessed to have had you in my life.
laura fugikawa
July 15, 2011
I am so sorry for this sad loss. sending love-
Macio
July 15, 2011
Renyo,
I am sorry for the loss of your brother, your sibling. I hope that you find the love, support and strength you need during this unreasonable time. I included you in my prayers this morning and will continue to hereafter. My heart goes out to you and your family.
With Love,
Macio
Macio
Jonathan Lord
July 15, 2011
My sincerest condolences. Jentso was as pure of heart as they come. His life was an example to us all. I will carry his memory all the days of mine.
Tim Koren
July 15, 2011
James was a great guy and everyone at our gym thought the world of him. He will be missed!!
Bill Whitlock
July 15, 2011
so sad and unfair to lose a great human being like Jentso (James, to those of us who knew him as a jiu jitsu "mat rat"). his story reads like the quintessential all-American success story, and it pains me to think of the great heights he surely would have reached had he been with us longer.
to Jentso: thank you for your service to our country, and for enriching the lives of everyone who knew you, simply by being the great person you clearly strove to be.
heartfelt thanks to his parents and siblings for gracing us with a soul as genuine as Jentso and for their role in helping him become the fantastic person he will always be remembered for being. deepest sympathies for your loss, and I hope it can provide some small comfort to know that that loss is shared by everyone who knew him.
Jeff Clark
July 15, 2011
My condolences to all of James' family and friends. Jentso was a great friend and will be missed dearly.
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