Brian,

10 years of love and laughter was so quick and so easy. Your smile and warm heart made coming home every day to my best friend and love such a blessing. 

I'll never forget our first date. You took me to the Barton Springs Mall parking lot and surprise!...My first motorcycle lesson! True to form you were exceedingly authentic, patient, encouraging, generous, and charming. We had a great time and...that never stopped. 

There's so much to be said about how much you changed my life. I watched you grow into a man of service and witnessed your steadfast devotion to your family, friends, and to me. It's been a true honor to call you my life partner and the love of my life. Thank you for being my rock and for the knowing that you will continue to be with me until we meet again. 

I love you and miss you so much,
Kelly

I met Brian in the 5th grade at Armand Bayou Elementary and absolutely cherished our friendship from day one! 

We stayed steadfast friends through our time at Seabrook Intermediate, Space Center Intermediate, Clear Lake High School and continued to spend time together through our college years in Austin. 

My fondest memory of Brian was definitely his BIG, warm, welcoming smile! He was always someone anyone of us could count on to lend an ear for listening, and he always offered encouraging advice and wisdom beyond his years. 

Even after going through so much he was never unkind, but instead always jovial and accepting. He was calm, open, and humble. And anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him would agree that he was a one-of-a-kind, stand-up guy who will be truly missed. 

Rest In Peace Wei-Han, thank you for letting us be a part of your journey. 

~Sara

Brian, Reflecting on your life, 30+ years of friendship, and countless memories, I’m proud to have called you my friend, fellow survivor, and wedding best man. As fate has it, near tragedy forever sealed our brotherhood while friendship started in 5th grade.  You a man child, everyone else mere boys.  
We grew up in your shoes, playing the same sports, pursuing the same girls, and jamming to the same beats. I’ve found myself listening to the old driveway basketball likes of Nirvana, SoundGarden, PearlJam, and AnC.  Pickup games and memories still so vivid as the day they occurred. 
After college graduation ‘03, we drove across the country to see WesWu.. Austin to Breckenridge, Breck to ParkCity, PC to Tahoe, Tahoe to San Jose.. While in Tahoe you tried to beat the house playing cards, you didn’t. Next, you tried to wipe out the buffet to get back, it got the better of you. Your food infatuation was hysterical. 
At my wedding, I let you pass on making a speech.  Here I am wishing I hadn’t.  I can only imagine your quirky humor and my embarrassment. Again food, you tried to out eat an all inclusive. 
Determination your greatest asset. You were as unique as they come…loud, outspoken, witty, comedic, gentle, and charismatic.  Always, available and sincere. Otherwise, a bull in a China cabinet  with a seismic sneeze.  
Your memory is forever cherished and your laughter ingrained. During your fight with Covid, your final and vocal words to me were a blessing and privilege.  They meant more than you can imagine because of our struggles. Likewise my friend, I am proud of you.  Godspeed…. 
Alex Holloway 

I cannot remember a time when Brian wasn't part of my life. He was my first friend, my first crush, my partner-in-crime—our childhood friendship set the standard for the rest of my life.  Even as adults, I could always count on Brian to open up new worlds to me, to be a mirror of truth, integrity, and imagination. I am so thankful for our time together on this plane. This message from Brian in one of our last emails is how I imagine him in heaven, where, "you can hang out w some real kung fu folks. talk metaphysics and what not while doing the crane stance :)" Brian, we miss you immensely. The world is a less curious, dynamic place without you.

I met Brian when I was 12 in Mr. Barnett's history class at Space Center Intermediate, which turned into one of my most meaningful friendships that spanned the next three decades. Our friendship grew as we transitioned to high school. Riding over to my house, he must have put a million miles over the years on that bike of his. After we graduated, we both attended UT together, even living in the same dorm. My new friends became his friends. Everyone loved Brian, he was charming, outgoing, goofy and always had the biggest grin on his face. 

After college, we got an apartment together in Austin and formed a “weekend” crew of close friends that we did everything with. I introduced him to his first Bikram Yoga class, quickly realizing grace and flexibility were not his strengths. He was a beast of an athlete and would run for miles every morning, basketball in the evenings, afterwards filling our apartment with the smell of sweaty sneakers and bacon. He had a gallon water jug permanently affixed to his hand.  That was also the year of 9/11, we sat together in shock watching as the second tower was hit. 

When I moved to NYC, Brian, without a second thought, offered to help me move from Texas in a U-haul. After he went back home, I was all alone, in a new city and terrified. Our constant phone calls over the next few months helped me keep my sanity. 

As we got older, and life became more complicated and busy, our talks became less frequent, but he was always there by my side for every milestone in life and I knew I could always count on him. He was that friend that I could go for months without speaking to, but when we did talk, it seemed like no time had passed. 
I saw Brian for the last time in 2014, right before I moved to Switzerland. He came with Kelly to visit me in Colorado and I was so happy to see that he had finally found his person.  

Brian you were so loved and will be missed by so many people in this life.  

Hei-Han brian chan - my first burn- my good boy,brian dad  have unbearful 
pain , but  I like tell you that  I  appreciated you are in my life for 43 year,make my life colorful,dad is proud of you,
Dad is 71 yeas old,I am on long waiting line to see my lord, but you cut into line , I belived Lord 
Have special mission for you  on universal, so end your mission  on earth.dad love you,
Thanks wei-Han again!we will meet together
Some time in future, when my time is coming!
You would not alone, see you then,dad.


Brian and I met in 1990, when he was a sweet, well-liked, budding athlete and I was, well, none of those things. Junior high was rough, but Brian didn’t hesitate to cross the threshold between cool kids and the not-so-cool kids. He was exceptionally kind to a ragingly insecure 6th grade girl when a lot of kids were still figuring out how to be humans. Junior High Brian seemed to have an uncannily solid sense of who he was and what he was about. 

High School Brian was similarly self-assured, but somehow still humble despite being borderline worshipped by so many of his peers. Every time I think of him, I remember his smile, his confident stride, and the way he could lighten the mood in the room simply by being in it. I can still hear his laugh.

I never got to know Adult Brian - we ran in different circles and went on separate paths. I’m touched  by all the wonderful comments from folks who knew him in recent years, comforted to know that the awesome kid I remember remained true to self and became an unforgettably great man. Rest In Peace, Brian.

I’ve been thinking all week who Brian was to me. Meeting him in the 6th grade he  was the first boy I was actually comfortable talking with. And that led to many late night phone calls, falling asleep on the phone, the first boy I said “I love you” to and thinking I really meant it. Only to find out my brother was listening and then ran off yelling “mom Audrey told Brian she loved him!” Damn landlines. In 7th grade we switched leather jackets and my mom got so mad and made us switch back despite his being much nicer than mine. He gave me a small gold and ruby bracelet of his mother’s, that I assumed wasn’t real, but he had to take it back because apparently it was. 
On a soul level, I think there are people you are supposed to meet and have in your life for a period of time. I think for me Brian was supposed to be in my life then and in the early high school years. 
To everyone else Brian Chan was THE guy in jr high. He was confident, charming, athletic, a great conversationalist and ALL the girls had crushes on him! I cannot think of my adolescence without thinking about Brian.
The last time we spoke was probably 7 years ago and just over social media. We discussed finance and hedge funds and how impressed he was that I was a CPA at one. And that was him, always making you feel good about yourself and encouraging you to honor your accomplishments. He asked for some art venue recommendations in Houston to take his current girlfriend to and I always thought he eventually married her. But I recently heard they were still together, had be for 10+ years, she was the best thing to ever happen to him and that they were headed in the getting married direction. It made me so happy to hear that, that he had a special love and companion in his life all this time, if anyone deserved that it was Brian. 

I met Brian through the martial arts. For the last 10 years he has been an amazing training partner and friend. Dedicated to his art, family and friends.  I offer my most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten. 

Charlie Chan, haha, you always made me laugh and I appreciate that. I hope to share more laughs in the afterlife. 

Brian and I met in the 2nd grade at Whitcomb Elementary, and immediately became fast friends. Throughout our adolescent years, we were inseparable and did practically everything together. In middle school, Brian was a beast among boys on the football field & basketball court. He was one of a kind; his brute strength and athleticism were superhuman, yet he was as gentle and kind as they come. We attended different middle schools in 6th & 7th grade, though still remained best friends; looking back during those years I felt lost, and when he returned in 8th grade it was one of the happiest years of my life. In high school and college, even as I drifted, he was always there for me and knew when I needed him most. We had a rare and special bond.

Brian had a huge impact on my life, and I know that I wouldn’t be who I am without him. He pushed me to be stronger, mentally and physically, and always guided me to find my way back to a better path. I only wish that I could’ve acknowledged this while time was still on our side. For me to say his presence in this world will be sorely missed is a huge understatement, though I find solace in knowing he’s at peace and no longer suffering, and that he will always be a part of me.  I am eternally grateful for our friendship.  

One of my favorite memories was when Brian visited me in Colorado, with Kelly, in 2017.  I saw that he had found peace in practicing martial arts, and being with Kelly I could see he was the happiest he’d been in years. We explored the mountains together, sharing our love for the outdoors; and now as adults, it felt like we were starting a new chapter and reconnecting on a new level. This photo of Brian practicing martial arts in the pristine mountain air is how I’d like to remember him, filled with pure joy, and what I’d like to think he’s doing in the heavens.

Thank you for everything. You've meant so much to me, more than words can express. Until we meet again my brother from another mother. Love always

Yesterday I lost the best Brother-in-Law someone could ever ask for to Covid. He was always good to my Sister and the rest of the family. I’ll always miss teasing him about eating 3 FULL plates of of food at every holiday dinner, in fairness, he was built like Chong Li from Bloodsport. It’s insane how the best people are taken first, and way too soon. Hug the friends and family you have while you can. RIP Brian I’ll miss you dude.

Brian was a rock for our little church in Round Rock, Texas. He never wavered in his devotion and was always precise in his work. I admired his keen sense of awareness, work ethic, and most of all his love for Kelly. I am so lucky to have shared in the Gnosis with him and will forever feel a special bond with him. It will never be the same without him.

Brian was the starting running back on the 1992-1993 8th grade Space Center Intermediate School football team; I was his quarterback. Our game plan on offense every week was to give the ball to Brian on every play and watch him run. He was an amazing athlete; he never left the field. At some point, in the huddle, I stopped calling plays by their appropriate name and just said, “Brian-right, Brian-left, or Brian up-the-middle.” I even threw the ball to Brian 90 percent of the time. He was so fast, and so friendly; one of the nicest people I ever met. I’m so sad he’s gone. Even though I haven’t talked to Brian since high school, I know this planet was a better place when he was here. He was one of those people you just never forget. Until I see you again brother, Godspeed… 


OBITUARY

Brian Wei-Han Chan

September 12, 1978 – September 21, 2021

Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery

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