Frank Woo

Frank Woo was born on July 16, 1934 to James Woo and Quon Shee Woo in Los Angeles, CA as one of nine children. After he graduated from Manual Arts High School, he went on to take courses at LA City College but was quickly drafted into the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged in 1962 and began a position at LA City where he succeeded in advancing into a supervisor role in the Street Maintenance Bureau. There, he learned every street in LA City and earned praise from the Mayor’s Office for his service.

Frank met the love of his life, Yolanda, after mutual friends introduced them through a bowling league. He famously courted her by bringing red roses on their dates. They married on July 1, 1972 at Sacred Heart Church in Los Angeles. They had many travel adventures with their friends and family. Frank loved Yolanda deeply for the rest of his life. Together, they raised two children, James and Jennifer, in Monterey Park.

After Yolanda passed away in 1997, Frank retired the following year, joking that he figured his time must also be coming soon. Instead, he enjoyed the next three decades living a relaxing and joyful life to its fullest. As the self-appointed family photographer, he spent much of his time digitizing and organizing countless photos. He also enjoyed watching sports (Go Dodgers!), singing along to classic rock, and walking 7,000 to 10,000 steps a day even into his 90s. Frank also loved a good meal. He savored lunch out with his friends as well as trying new restaurants while staying loyal to his favorites where he approached celebrity status. Frank continued to have many travel adventures, including driving cross country with Jennifer, Vegas trips with James, and Cape Cod with family and friends. In 2014, Frank traveled to France for the first time, visiting a country dear to Yolanda. The trip included a surprise 80th birthday party complete with cheese and charcuterie.

Although Frank enjoyed his independence and quiet time, nothing delighted him more than visiting with his siblings, children, nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends. After his surprise 90th birthday party, he spent weeks marveling, “I cannot believe how many people came for my birthday!”

Frank will be remembered as a joyful, magical man filled with generosity and love for others who was always smiling, joking, and game for a new escapade. When he moved from his Monterey Park home of over 53 years to northern California to live with Jennifer and Cristián, he embraced the change with characteristic enthusiasm, saying he was “looking forward to the new adventure and seeing new things.” This outlook was with him throughout his life: always ready for the next adventure.

Frank passed away on September 15, 2026 at the remarkable age of 92 years.

Frank was preceded in death by his beloved Yolanda; his parents James and Quon Shee Woo; his siblings Betty, Kum Gee (Mary), Jack, Edward, Howard, and Robert; in-laws Maria, Jose, Joe, Sergio, and Olga; and his niece Regina.

His memory will be carried on by his surviving relatives including his sisters Katy and Amy; son James; daughter Jennifer and her spouse Cristián; 17 nieces and nephews (Denise, Doreen, Stewart, Darryl, Renee, Derrick, Do, Lisa, Staci, Larry, Elena, Julia, Albert, Maria, Kathleen, Sarah, and Jerry); 30 grand- and great-grand-nieces and nephews; and other extended family and friends.