Kim Frank Chinn
November 16, 1921 - January 7, 2022
Obituary
Kim Frank Chinn was born in Seattle, WA on November 16, 1921, son of Toy Chin and Yee Shee. Dad had a younger brother Kim Charles, an older half-brother Gim “Bak” Jeng and older half-sister Gim Hai. Dad grew up in Central Seattle and went to elementary school during the difficult time of the Great Depression and graduated from Broadway High School in 1939. Dad grew up living and helping out in the family operated laundromat in the First Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
Dad began attending college at the University of Washington. He was drafted into the army during World War II and relocated to Northern California and attended Stanford University for a short period then transferred to West Virginia University where he was enrolled in engineering school in the Army Special Training Program. Dad began his basic training in Camp Plauche in New Orleans. He was called to duty overseas to Liverpool, England where his unit crossed the English Channel and fought in the war in France and Germany from 1943 to 1946. Dad served in the Traffic Regulation Battalion while in France then fought in the war in Germany in the Field Artillery Battalion.
After the war, dad returned home and finished his education at Seattle University and received a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1950. After graduating, Dad worked at the Boeing Company and his first job assignment was on the B-52 bomber program. Dad was introduced to the love of his life, Bely Tam by a friend of the family, he would write letters to Bely before finally deciding to fly to Hong Kong to meet her and quitting his job in 1956. They were married in Hong Kong a short time after. After their wedding, Dad brought Bely back to Seattle to start their family. Dad was fortunate upon returning to Seattle to get rehired at Boeing.
They moved into a house in Central Seattle where their first son Kory was born in 1957 and their second son Kary was born in 1960. The family then had their first house built and moved to South Seattle where their daughter Kaylene was born in 1962. Paulene, Bely’s youngest sister came from Hong Kong to be part of the family in 1963.
In 1963, Dad left Boeing and worked at Ling-Temco-Vought Corp., which required him to move his family to Grand Prairie, Texas. After living in Texas for 1-1/2 years, Dad decided to come back to Boeing and moved the family back to Seattle in 1964. Dad worked at Boeing for almost 40 years and worked on many programs such as the B-52, SST, 727, 737 and 747 during his long career and before retiring in 1987. He spent a good number of years in retirement relaxing and traveling the world from North America to South America, and Asia to Europe. Dad loved taking cruises the most with mom and friends. His favorite trip was cruising through the Panama Canal in Central America.
One of Dad’s passions was supporting his community. He served as the President, Vice President and Secretary from 1990 to 2000 at the Gee How Oak Tin Association in Chinatown which serves and provides financial support to the Chinese community and many at-large needs.
As much as dad loved traveling and supporting his community, his biggest joy was taking care of his five grandchildren Tamara, Michael, Kevin, Kristene, Jayna and being with family and friends.
Private services with military honors were held in the care of Bonney Watson. A link to view the recording is available from the family.
