Yun Kol "Jin" Pak, 73, passed away at his daughter's home in Eugene, Oregon on Dec. 11, 2016 after a year-long battle with cancer.
Jin was born March 23, 1943 in Tokyo, Japan to Byung Ho Pak (father) and Ah Gi Kim (mother).
In 1965 he graduated from Chonnam University in Kwangju, Korea with a degree in biology. He served on Korea's demilitarized zone for the Korean Army.
He taught middle school science in Gwangju, Korea, where he met Michele Piastro, a Peace Corps volunteer, whom he later married. They settled in Elberta, Alabama and in 1976 established Baldwin Optical and Hearing Aid Company, a business still in operation.
Jin spent his free time with his family, playing golf and tennis and volunteering in the community. He coached youth soccer, sang in church choirs and he was a longtime member of the Foley Optimist and Lions clubs.
He was active in his church and loved to sing hymns, carols and opera arias. Jin strived to be kind, respectful and honest, and to honor God's word.
He is survived by his daughter, Maylian Pak and her husband Matthew Shapiro; son, Daniel Pak and his wife Annie Pak; grandsons, Makaio, Alden and Zander Pak; former wife, Michele Piastro; brothers, John Pak, Young Pak and sister, Yun Chun Pak along with their families; and wife, Jane Bark.
Jin's family will host a celebration of life at 10 a.m. April 22 at Peace Lutheran Church, 8250 Roscoe Road, Gulf Shores, AL 36542.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, any offerings in Jin's memory be made to your favorite youth-serving nonprofit.
