Dr. J. Hoon Kim

Dr. J. Hoon Kim, 45, of Quincy died on Wednesday (Nov. 3, 2010) in Houston, Texas, due to complications following open heart surgery.

Hoon was born Sept. 3, 1965, in Seoul, South Korea, the son of Dr. Yang Ho Kim and In Ho Shin. His father had a successful obstetrics practice on the first floor of their family home. Here, Hoon witnessed the birth of his cousin, Jay. Hoon recalled holding the baby for hours at a time while his aunt was at the hospital. Hoon held this experience in his heart, and it gave him the ambition he needed to succeed as an immigrant child in America.

Hoon and his parents, along with his sister, Anne, and his brother, David, immigrated to the Bronx, N.Y., in June 1973. From the Bronx, they moved to Lakeland, Fla., and eventually settled in Washington, Mo.

Hoon's high school life was focused on his passion for football (playing defensive and offensive guard and Senior Captain), baseball, and wrestling. Hoon loved competing in Scholar Bowl and was voted "Most Likely To Succeed." He graduated from Washington High School in 1984 as class valedictorian.

He was accepted into the six-year combined B.A. and M.D. program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Here, in addition to academic achievements, he played rugby and made many new friends. A highlight of his college years was traveling to L.A. with only cash and a pair of sunglasses in hand.

Following college, Hoon entered OB-Gyn residency at Truman Medical Center and St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, Mo. During this time, he honed his art of delivering babies and his surgical skills. On his first day of residency, he claimed the love of his life, Suzan, as his own.

Hoon and Suzan married Aug. 2, 1997, on a hot St. Louis day. Their life together began in Edwardsville, Ill., where Hoon practiced with the Women's Center of Metro East. He took great pride in providing his patients with competent, exceptional care.

In 2001, they moved to Quincy, where Hoon practiced with Quincy Medical Group, delivering babies at Blessing Hospital. Friends there will miss his thundering steps as he raced to deliveries.

His favorite of all births were those of his own children, Madison (12), Molly (10), and Morgan (4). Hoon was proud of being an "Mx3" dad, coaching their soccer and softball teams, and planning the family trips. The girls will miss attending Mizzou football games together, as well as his silliness, his energy, and his falling asleep during bedtime stories.

In addition to Hoon's overwhelming love for his family, his life was characterized by his fervor for Mizzou football, hitting home runs on the Gem City softball team, eating spicy BBQ, and writing the annual Christmas card to include his staunch Republican viewpoints.

Hoon was an active member of St. John's Anglican Parish. He belonged to the Adams County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He was a Diplomat, American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology-1997.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Madison, Molly and Morgan, all of Quincy; his parents of Holmdel, N.J.; his sister, Anne (Samuel) Ahne and their children, Anson and Katie of Morganville, N.J.; and his brother, David (Min Jung) Kim and their children, Daniel and Victoria, of Littleton, Colo.

He is also survived by his wife Suzan's family, her parents, Ken and Donna Neely; and her brother, Kyle (Debbie) Neely, all of El Dorado Springs, Mo., her brother Les (Cyndi) Neely of Independence, Mo.; along with six nieces and nephews and six great-nieces and great-nephews.

Hoon also leaves behind a large extended family, many loving friends, medical colleagues, and patients.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; and a cousin, Andy Chung.

SERVICES: 10 a.m. Saturday in St. John's Anglican Parish (701 Hampshire) with the Rev. Patrick Smith officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery.

VISITATION: 4-7 p.m. Friday at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

MEMORIALS: The Kim Children Education Fund at First Bankers Trust.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors.

WEBSITE: www.hansenspear.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.