Lawrence K.W. Chun

CHUN, Lawrence K.W.
He passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 6, 2005, at age 75. Larry, as he was known, grew up in Honolulu, HI, the youngest of eight children and was affectionately called "Pee-Wee" by his older siblings. During WWII his father sent several of the younger children to San Francisco to attend school. After the war ended, Larry returned to Honolulu to finish high school at St. Louis High. Shortly after graduating he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War.

Larry learned his culinary skills as a cook in the army and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Freshly out of the military and armed with a G.I. Bill, he moved back to Stockton, CA, to live with his sister Fannie and to attend college. Larry attended University of the Pacific, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Shortly after graduating he began a long 37-year career working for the California Department of Transportation in District 10, the Stockton branch. Larry, a registered civil engineer, became well-rounded by working in all phases of civil engineering: design; construction; planning; and structures. After 25 years working out of District 10 he accepted a promotion to become a construction reviewer and worked out of headquarters/ Sacramento. After four years as a reviewer Larry accepted his last promotion as Deputy Chief Construction at headquarters. At the time of his promotion this was the second-highest rank ever achieved by an Asian American in the Dept. of Transportation.

In retirement he amused his three children by telling them that he was busier in retirement than when he worked. He proudly supported the activities of his three oldest grandkids by attending their various sports and musical endeavors. Retirement also allowed him to travel the world with his wife, Sonia. They travelled several times to China and went on over nine cruises. They had just celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this past July. He was particularly proud of the fact that all three of his children graduated from UC Davis. His oldest son went on to obtain a medical degree and his youngest son obtained a dental degree.

Larry loved to entertain and throw parties. Always the life of the party, Larry used his spirit of Aloha and charm to make his family and friends feel at ease. He loved to barbecue and thought that nothing compared to relaxing in the backyard on a warm summer night with a steak on the grill and a cocktail in hand. We will all miss his easy laugh, generosity, and guidance. Larry is survived by his loving wife Sonia of Stockton; brothers Eddie and John of Honolulu; sisters Bernice Chock of Honolulu and Fannie Ko of Stockton; and brothers Daniel and Jam of Hayward. He was preceded in death by his sister Irene of Hayward. He had three children: daughter Lisa and husband Steve Tsuruoka of San Mateo; son Michael and wife Lisa of Davis; and son Darrell and wife DeAnna of Wilton. He also left behind four grandchildren, Kellen, Krista, Connor, and Carmelle.

A memorial service will be held at DeYoung Memorial Shoreline Chapel, 7676 Shoreline Dr., on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 11:00 AM. Memorials may be made to St. Mark's United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 6369, Stockton, CA 95206, or Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.