Raymond Chu Jr.

“Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Raymond Chu, it summarized in every way who he was. He was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around him and always thinking before acting. He was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything he did. He was a friendly person who truly cared about those around him.

He was the son of Clara K. Ah Hee and Raymond Gom Man Chu. Raised in Hilo, Hawaii, he was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, he learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that he would carry with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Raymond was always aware of how others around him felt and this quality served him well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Raymond was generally able to avoid conflicts. It seemed as if Raymond was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay. Preferring a quiet environment where he could concentrate, Raymond also had the ability to relate well with his family and friends. Raymond was raised with six siblings. He was the oldest followed by Abraham, Gilbert (Kelly), Jimmy, Gladys, Nani, and Wayne. Raymond was constantly involved in activities with his family. Raymond and his siblings while growing up deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

Growing up, Raymond was one of those children who didn’t need to be in the center of a whirlwind of activity. He was content to entertain himself. Raymond was never pushy when it came to games and other activities, but rather, he was able to enjoy the pure fun these could bring. In just about everything he did as a child, Raymond was intent on pleasing both the adults and the other children around him. Raymond took part in a number of activities as a child. He took part in football, basketball and baseball.

Most folks would say that Raymond was quiet until they got to know him. Those who were privileged to know him well learned that he was a solid, good friend. Raymond was reluctant to generalize about people, and he based his friendships on his personal experiences. Because of this, Raymond best trusted those people that he truly knew. He was concerned about how those around him felt, and he always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. He could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that he made, Raymond kept. While growing up, some of his best friends were James Akiona, Jack Matsui, "Ducky" Una Soy Goo. Later in life, he remained friends with Ducky & Jimmy Akiona.

Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Raymond. On July 8, 1950 Raymond married Katherine Isabel Swain at St. Joseph's Church of Hilo, Hawaii. He was totally committed to Katherine and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Raymond naturally sensed his spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally. Although Raymond disliked conflict, he did not take flight from discord, but rather sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times.

Raymond was a good father to his children. He had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner. Because he trusted emotions, Raymond was reluctant to force issues and used gentle persuasion to resolve situations. In this way he seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around him, always thinking before acting. In addition, Raymond was a master planner. No matter how hectic life around him might be, he seemed to know and track everyone’s schedule. Raymond was blessed with two daughters, Patricia Leimomi and Raylan Mahaelani and one son Milton Kimo.

If you gave Raymond a deadline, he would meet it. At work, Raymond was always on task. Without hesitation, Raymond could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. His primary occupation was a longshoreman. He was employed for almost 40 years with the ILWU Longshoreman.

Raymond was in the Hawaii National Guard. He seemed to thrive on the routines offered up by the military. Being a literal thinker with a calm exterior helped him handle the rigors of the military. Raymond served during peacetime between WWII and Korean Conflict.

Raymond liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Raymond's choice of leisure time activities. A methodical and patient worker, Raymond preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on his hobbies. His favorite pursuits were playing Hawaiian music on Guitar, Auto Harp and Omni Cord. He also loved to go hunting for wild bore and deer and fishing and gathering abalone hunting. While thorough and measured in his approach to things, Raymond often liked to physically do things rather than just think about them. He was like that with sports. He also enjoyed the statistical data and the facts behind the sports. In this way, he was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite teams whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were football, golf, baseball, fishing, and boxing.

Due to his excellent organizational skills, Raymond was a welcome addition to the professional and community organizations to which he belonged. Raymond could bring established, successful methods to the discussion table, along with a generous helping of common sense. Raymond was good at making and keeping schedules and never got bogged down in unnecessary details. Throughout his later years, Raymond was an active member of the Hawaiian Club, and the Hobo Club, (RV Camping).

An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, his faith was important to Raymond. His compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in his personal beliefs. He was a member of the Catholic Church.

Doing things to help others seemed to come naturally to Raymond. He never set out to gain individual recognition, but the praise and accolades given him for his many and varied efforts throughout his life were well deserved. The prestigious award he should have received was "The Greatest Father and Grandpa in the World Award".

Anyone who traveled or went on vacation with Raymond had smooth sailing. It was often taken for granted that he was the trip planner. He would start early and examine all of the possibilities, selecting the best and most effective options. Favorite vacations included camping at Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Florida and a Cruise to the Bahamas.

Raymond had Honey Boy, a Pomeranian, along with Yoshi, Hanako, GaGi, Fuji, all Akitas. But most resent his unconditional lover was Honey Boy, for the past 5 years. His family was rounded out by his Canaries, Love Birds, Liontail Goldfish. Raymond was as loyal to his pets as they were to him.

When Raymond's retirement finally arrived in 1993, he was well prepared. He had taken the time to learn about his various options and chose his course wisely. His new life involved relocating to Reno, Nevada, then Kona & Kamuala, Hawaii, and finally in Las Vegas, Nevada. Even in retirement, Raymond continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered him.

Raymond passed away on August 12, 2010 at Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. Raymond. He is survived by his children, Patricia, Raylan & Kimo, grandchildren, Kevin, Keith, Thomas III, Mathew, Raymond, Sherman, Leon, and Kiera, great grandchildren, Ikaika, James-Brian, Aiden, Cole, Gyvan, Jai, Kayden, Amber, Kylie, Nani, Mae Mae, & Keilani, Great Great Grandchildren, Noah, Joshua, Josiah, Ezekiel, & Janiah. Services were held at Palm Mortuary - Cheyenne, Las Vegas, Nevada. Raymond's and his wife Katherine's cremated remains will be scattered together in the ocean in Hawaii by the family.

It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Raymond was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Raymond was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of man to whom everyone was drawn. He was thorough and practical. Raymond Chu used very few words, but you always knew where you stood with him. He will be missed.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Summerlin-Funeral Home, Las Vegas, NV.