Jack Sun

Jack Sun (孙纪苍), 94, of North Bethesda, Maryland, a devoted brother, husband, father, grandfather, and pioneering restaurateur, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026. Born in 1931 in Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China, Jack’s life was defined by resilience, hard work, and a dedication to family and community.

The eldest son of 孫寶祥 and 陳淑貞, Jack came of age during a time of great upheaval. Following the Chinese Civil War, he immigrated to Taiwan in the early 1950s to study chemical engineering at the Army Ordnance Engineering School (兵工學校), where he also developed a command of English. His early career as a researcher and laboratory assistant introduced him to Teresa (張德培), who would become his wife.

Jack demonstrated ambition early in his career by seeking out a position as a military liaison for Taiwan. Combining his technical expertise and English fluency, he traveled to Texas as a translator while the Taiwanese Army trained to operate U.S. missile systems. After returning to Taiwan, he married Teresa, and together they welcomed daughters Mina and Susan.

Seeking greater opportunities for his family, Jack returned to the United States, earning a Master of Science in Chemistry at New Mexico Highlands University. He worked as a chemist for Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pittsburgh, later transferring to Baltimore, where he reunited with his family and welcomed their son, David.

As his family grew, Jack made the bold decision to reinvent himself, turning his lifelong passion for food into a career as a Chinese restaurateur. Over four decades, he opened numerous restaurants, mentored future owners, and became a pillar of the greater Washington, DC Chinese restaurant community. He also represented the United States in international Chinese cooking competitions with the World Association of Chinese Cuisine and served as a judge at the World Championship of Chinese Cuisine.

Through the success of his restaurants, Jack was able to achieve one of his proudest accomplishments: helping his entire family build new lives in the United States. With determination and hard work, he financially supported and sponsored the immigration of his father and all six of his siblings—five brothers and one sister—enabling them, along with their families, to come to the U.S. This extraordinary act of responsibility and devotion transformed the lives of multiple generations and reflected Jack’s deeply held belief that family should always be lifted together.

Jack is survived by his wife, Teresa; his children, Mina (David Karasz), Susan (John Bettinger), and David (Julie Sun); four brothers and one sister; and his cherished grandchildren, Christopher Karasz, Donald Karasz, Eileen Bettinger, John Bettinger, Hailey Sun, and Kyle Sun. He was preceded in death by one brother. His legacy endures in the restaurant community he built, the families he sponsored, and the tireless work ethic and values he instilled in his family.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Devol Funeral Home, 10 E Deer Park Dr., Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Family will receive guests from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Interment follows at 12:30 PM at Norbeck Memorial Park, 16225 Batchellors Forest Rd., Olney, MD 20832. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory to the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) will be accepted at the service.