Jae-Kyoung Kim

Kim, ("Kim" / "JK") Jae-Kyoung, age 85. Beloved husband of Elynn (“Cookie”) Strzelec; father of Jessica Soo-Hyun Kim (Alex Cho), Jennifer Tae-Hyun Kim (Marcus Kim), and Joseph Sang-Hyun Kim (Yoon-Won Choi); several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Born of Christian parents in Uiju, South Korea, late 1939, Jae-Kyoung (“JK”) was the eldest of three children. Two years after the death of his father in 1946 the immediate family (including paternal grandmother and aunt) fled to South Korea when threatened with execution by communist authorities if they didn’t vacate their home within 24 hours. Miraculously they survived The Korean War and began to establish their new life in South Korea.

During middle and high school, JK trained in tae-kwon-do and judo, achieving a 5th degree black belt in both disciplines. He graduate on Seoul National University with a B.S. in biochemistry. Following graduation he fulfilled his military obligations in the South Korean Army. After completing his military service he secured a position as the master blender of a well known liquor distillery.

Passing the required English exams for study in the U.S., he was accepted as an M.S. biochemistry candidate at SUNY at University of Buffalo, arriving in the USA late August of 1968, completing his M.S. degree in 1970.

In the middle of his doctoral studies (at SUNY Buffalo) he accepted a research position under Dr. Alexander at the New York City Blood Center, which he held until Autumn of 1975.

JK returned to the Western New York area, applied and received his US citizenship. He then resumed his doctoral pursuit at US and Canadian educational institutions, final concluding research concerning brain cell regeneration under Dr. Michele Bernard, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, CA.

In the midst of his doctoral studies he married his wife of 45 years, Elynn (“Cookie”) Strzelec, in 1980. In 1984, after 17 years of separation, his mother made the journey to the US to reunite with her son and meet her new daughter-in-law (a very happy and emotional time.) In the ensuing years JK and Cookie raised three of his brothers five children who came from Korea after finishing middle school. They went thru high school then on to college; performing the usual parental roles and helping them adjust to their life in America. Other nieces and nephews also visited from South Korea thru the years; never knowing who would arrive but always glad to host them.

JK had varied interests: gardening, hunting, reading (especially history -Asian, European, American), current scientific research, in depth bible study, the strategic ancient Asian board game “Go,” and golf.

C. 1995, in conjunction with his brother's company in South Korea, he established a home-based branch office. Periodically he had the opportunity to travel to South Korea, sometimes for business, and also with his wife to meet extended family and join in significant family events.

In his retirement he continued jogging and tae-kwon-do discipline thru his late 70’s until the on-set of dementia. His heroic struggle came to an end when he peacefully passed away at home in his wife’s care.

He is sadly missed by friends and family, especially his million dollar smile and sparkling eyes.

A celebration of life will be held at St. Gregory the Great Church, 200 St. Gregory Court, Williamsville, NY, 14221 on Saturday, October 17, 2026 with a Choral Prelude at 10:15 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM.

Please contact 716-689-3751 (leave a message) if you wish to attend lunch following the mass at Sean Patrick's Restaurant,

Memorials donations can be made in JK's memory to the Alzheimers Western NY Chapter: or the charity of your choice