Kun Sok Oh

Mr. Oh was born on March 29, 1939, in Haeju, North Korea. His early life was shaped by the turmoil of the Korean War. At the age of eight, he lost his father, a loss that led his mother and siblings to flee to South Korea in 1950. The family resettled in Inchon, where he grew up and completed his schooling.

After high school, Mr. Oh served his country in the Korean Air Force. Following his military service, he continued his dedication to public service by working for the Korean government as a civilian employee within the Air Force.

To provide a better life and greater opportunities for his two daughters, Mr. Oh made the life changing decision to leave behind everything familiar — his friends, his community, and his career — and immigrate to the United States in April 1980. He settled in Killeen, Texas, where his three older sisters and their families had already made their homes.

Arriving with limited financial resources, no English, and little understanding of American culture, he relied on his resilience and work ethic. He worked long hours alongside his brothers in law as a house painter and construction worker, determined to build a foundation for his family’s future.

Through years of saving and perseverance, he eventually opened his own business: Oh’s Seafood Market. Each week he drove to Galveston to bring back fresh fish, shrimp, live crabs, and oysters — at a time when grocery stores did not yet offer fresh seafood. He worked six days a week, cleaning and preparing fish to each customer’s preference, frying seafood to order, and cooking a variety of Korean seafood dishes that became beloved in the community.

As large grocery chains later expanded into fresh seafood, the competition made it difficult for small independent markets to survive. Mr. Oh ultimately made the difficult decision to sell the business. Over the years, various owners have taken over, but the store continues to operate under the name Oh’s Seafood Market, a lasting testament to his hard work and legacy in downtown Killeen.

As Mr. Oh grew older, his health made it difficult for him to continue living independently. In 2015, he moved to Dallas, Texas, to live with his youngest daughter, Yong in Lewisville, who lovingly cared for him for many years. When his health needs eventually required continuous, around the clock support, he transitioned into a long term nursing home in December 2024, where he remained until his peaceful passing at the hospital.

Mr. Oh is survived by his daughters, Un Chu and Yong Chu; his three older sisters in Killeen — Hae Ryun Perras and niece Helen; Kyong Ja Lewis and niece Misun and great nephew Andrew; and Suk Kyung Swords and three nephews Sonny and wife Kim and great nieces Sydney and Aurelia and great nephew Nikko; John and wife Sylvia and great nephews John David, Mark, and Matthew; and Grant; his younger brother Yong Gil and wife Jeong-soon and niece Hyun Ah Kim and husband Kyung Woo and great niece Na Youn and great nephew Dong Hyun and nephew Jung Hyun and wife Chin Hee and great nephew Dae Seong of South Korea; and his younger sister Kyong Ae Oum and nephew Un Sang and wife Sun Deok and niece Hui Chin of Killeen. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the sacrifices he made, and the resilience that defined his life.

Funeral Services for Mr. Kun Sok Oh

A Funeral Mass for Mr. Oh will be celebrated at Saint Andrew Kim Catholic Church on Thursday, March 5th at 10:00 a.m. Address: 2111 Camino Lago, Irving, TX 75039.

A private inurnment at the columbarium will follow on Friday, March 6th at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church. Address: 2800 Valwood Pkwy, Farmers Branch, TX 75234.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Diabetes Association in memory of Kun Sok Oh.