Culver City Observer -

Culver City resident and businessman Jin Sung Kwak Passed away on September 23, 20 months after being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Jin was born on January 13, 1940 in Seoul Korea.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Chung Ang University. Following graduation Jin served 2.5 years in the Korean Army and was honorably discharged. In 1966 Jin emigrated from Korea with only $100..

Jin began working as a chemist for a pharmaceutical company based in Culver City and also worked at Lawry’s Restaurant and a hamburger stand to make ends meet. In 1967 Young Hee followed Jin to Los Angeles and they were married later that year. In 1973 Jin and Young settled in Culver City where they purchased their first business, a Shell service station at the corner of Motor Avenue and Culver Blvd., which continues to operate under his name today.

Later that year Jin and Young also purchased their home in Culver City where Young still resides. All four of their children were raised in Culver City and attended Culver City schools. Jin was active and proud member of the community. In the following decades Jin's drive and determination led to the purchase of several other service stations in the greater Los Angeles area. According to his family Jin lived the true American dream.

He was born to parents Chi Man Kwak (deceased) and Ul Suk Kwak, Jin was the oldest of seven children. He is survived by his wife, Young Hee, children Karen, Kenneth, Carolyn, and Kevin, and grandchildren Kyle and Kayla.

He was a generous, warm, and loving person with a sense of humor that touched the lives of many people and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, September 29 at the Church of the Recessional, Forest Lawn Memorial in Glendale, California. In lieu of flowers, the Kwak family asks that donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer research at http://www.pancreatic.org/memorial/jinskwak