Jack was born in Changhua, Taiwan in 1943. He was the 2nd son, and 4th child of 7 siblings. His father was a doctor and his mother a housewife. Later, the entire family moved to Taipei. They lived in a small Japanese style house. The downstairs served as his father’s clinic and the family lived on the second floor.
As a young man, he was athletic and adventurous. He spent his free time swimming in rivers and hiking. He studied at National Taiwan Ocean University. After graduation, he joined the merchant marines and sailed to Europe and South America. From these early days spent crossing the oceans, Jack established a career in the shipping industry. A job with Evergreen brought him to New York in 1976 and then, with his young family, moved to Long Beach in 1977. He retired from Yang Ming in 2006, after over 30 years in the industry. Jack was part of a generation that facilitated international transportation, paving the way for globalized trade as we know it today.
In 1974 he married Ching-Lien Chou after dating for one year. They had one child, a daughter in 1976. The family settled in Cypress in 1979. Here they would raise me and several beloved pets (3 cats and 7 dogs), with their last Coco, my father's favorite).
The house was a modest 4 bedroom, 2 bath split-level but for most of their lives it was filled with people and activity. My parents were not wealthy, but they were generous and community-minded. The two extra bedrooms were often occupied by visitors, nieces and nephews studying in America and various friends and family who needed a first place to call home in new lands.
Jack's enthusiasm for nature and adventure continued as frequent road trips across the western United States. Every family member or friend visiting from Taiwan would be taken on one of his trips.
He was born in Taiwan under the Japanese occupation, lived through the martial rule under the Kuomintang, and participated in the first democratic elections in Taiwan. All the years he lived in the U.S., he yearned for his Taiwanese countrymen to experience democracy. In 1996, he and his wife returned to Taiwan to vote in its first democratic election, beaming with hope and optimism for the future of his homeland. Taking part in this monumental political moment was a highlight of his life.
As Jack grew older, a more sensitive side emerged. The man who was known widely in his family for practical jokes became a devout Christian and singer in the church choir. Parkinson's, which took away his mobility and motor control, brought out a more emotional and spiritual side.
The last 18 months at home was a difficult time–but also a time filled with much joy and community. I remember his church choir coming to sing for him, the elder calling him nightly to pray for him, old friends bringing him favorite Taiwanese songs, neighbors assisting, caring caretakers and nurses, and special times when friends and family gathered back at this house to see him, encourage him, and let him know how much he was loved. Through their kindness, their support of him and my mother, I witnessed the generosity and strength of community and how many shared hands can help to carry the burden and comfort the pain of illness.
Throughout this difficult time, always by his side, his devoted wife Ching-Lien was his constant companion, primary care-taker, partner and support. She shouldered the greatest burdens and sheltered him through to his last days.
Loyal and devoted. Honest and principled. Frugal but generous. A unique sense of humor. Lover of animals and nature. Husband, father, son, brother, uncle, colleague and friend. Jack will be remembered for his kindness and his helpfulness to many throughout his life. And in his most difficult times with Parkinson's, by the many people that came together to uplift him. His life serves as a reminder that all of us can endure the darkest times with the kindness and support of our treasured relationships.
Today he is at peace, no longer wearied by the pain of illness, returning to the Lord that he found serenity in. Let us who remain, remember him in fellowship–that we continue to walk with one another and share life's burdens and sing its joys, together.
